Image Credit: David Richard-Imagn Images

Cavaliers vs Raptors: 3 Key Takeaways as Raptors Pull Off Convincing Upset on Cavs as Donovan Mitchell’s Absence Proves Costly!

The Raptors snapped their four-game losing skid.

Image Credit: David Richard-Imagn Images

In an exciting 2025 NBA Cup group play opener, the Toronto Raptors snapped their four-game losing skid and handed a 112-101 loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers. This marked the second win of the season for the Raptors, while pushing the Cavaliers’ tally to 3-3 for the ongoing season. The trio of Brandon Ingram, RJ Barrett and Jamison Battle dropped a combined 60 points for the Raptors while Scottie Barnes contributed 14 points, along with 10 rebounds.

The Cavaliers were led by Evan Mobley’s 29 points, followed by De’Andre Hunter’s 26 points. While the Raptors’ timely shooting pulled them through, the Cavaliers’ absence of notable players, including Donovan Mitchell’s injury, left them scrambling. Here are the three takeaways from the Raptors’ upset over the Cavaliers.

Donovan Mitchell’s Absence Proved Critical for Cavaliers

YESSIRSKIIIIIIII

Presented by @Jackpotcity_ONT pic.twitter.com/A777xu42aC
— Toronto Raptors (@Raptors) November 1, 2025

Ahead of their game against the Raptors, the Cavaliers released a lengthy injury report with five players. Among them was Donovan Mitchell, who missed the meeting due to hamstring injury. Needless to say, his absence left the Cavaliers hanging, who managed to score only 101 points, shooting 40% from the field and 30.4% from beyond the arc. They depended on role players but struggled to create consistency and initiate sets against the Raptors’ length.

This highlighted how Mitchell’s 28.0 points per game have been irreplaceable for the Cavaliers.

Toronto Raptors’ Balanced Offense Keeps them Floating

JAMISON BATTLE DIDN’T MISS ONCE 😳🔥 https://t.co/cDIXxDDJMq pic.twitter.com/vhWXClT95Q
— Toronto Raptors (@Raptors) November 1, 2025

The Raptors got 20 points each from Battle, Barrett and Ingram, showcasing the depth that has kept them competitive despite a 1-4 start to the season. Apart from this, Battle’s six of the team’s 13 three-pointers proved pivotal, while Ingram and Barrett exploited the Cavaliers’ depleted backcourt. In addition, the Raptors converted almost 80% of their free throws and shot 48.8% from the field and 43.3% from deep.

Toronto’s Bench Outscores Cavaliers’ 48-15

Along with their starters, the Raptors’ bench put up remarkable performance against the Cavaliers. The reserves led by Battle, Sandro Mamukelashvili and Jamal Shead, dominated the second unit battle. On the other hand, the Cavaliers had only 15 points from their bench, including Craig Porter Jr’s five points, and Tyrese Proctor as well as Thomas Bryant’s combined eight points. It highlighted the Cavaliers’ lack of depth, while showcasing the potential in that of the Raptors.

Cleveland Cavaliers

Toronto Raptors

Garima Ranawat

Garima is a sports writer with around two years of experience in Indian sports and a newfound interest in the NBA. Inspired by the leadership of cricketing legend MS Dhoni, she wishes to bring in newer perspectives to the NBA fanatics with her writing.