Donovan Mitchell scores 26 points as the Eastern Conference-leading Cavaliers beat the Nets 110-97

NEW YORK (AP) — Donovan Mitchell scored 26 points and three Cleveland teammates scored in double figures as the Cavaliers beat the Brooklyn Nets 110-97 on Thursday night.

Darius Garland scored 18 points, Evan Mobley added 18 points and 13 rebounds and Jarrett Allen finished with 16 points and 20 rebounds for Eastern Conference-leading Cleveland, which improved to 45-10.

Cam Johnson led Brooklyn with 18 points. Keon Johnson scored 16 points, Trendon Watford finished with 13 points off the bench and Ziaire Williams and Jalen Wilson each scored 10.

Cavaliers: Cleveland coach Kenny Atkinson is looking to use the final 28 games of the regular season to prepare the Cavaliers for the playoffs. “You have to have a sense of urgency,” Atkinson said before the game.

Nets: Before the game, Brooklyn said it requested waivers on veteran forward Bojan Bogdanovic and, in corresponding roster moves signed Killian Hayes to a 10-day contract and agreed to what the team called “a multi-year contract” with Tyrese Martin. The Nets acquired Bogdanovic from the Knicks on July 6 in the trade that sent Mikal Bridges to New York. Due to a left foot injury, Bogdanovic did not play in any games with Brooklyn this season.

Cleveland scored 11 straight points in a span of 1:41 late in the third quarter, turning a 69-63 deficit into a 74-69 lead. The Cavaliers never trailed after that point.

The Cavaliers are 40-0 this season when leading after three quarters.

The Cavaliers host the Knicks on Friday night. The Nets travel to Philadelphia for a Saturday matinee against the 76ers.

AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/nba

Brooklyn Nets' Cameron Johnson (2) drives past Cleveland Cavaliers' Isaac Okoro (35) and Evan Mobley (4) during the second half of an NBA basketball game Thursday, Feb. 20, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

Cleveland Cavaliers' De'Andre Hunter (12) and Sam Merrill (5) defend Brooklyn Nets' Day'Ron Sharpe (20) during the second half of an NBA basketball game Thursday, Feb. 20, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

Cleveland Cavaliers' Max Strus (1) defends Brooklyn Nets' Nic Claxton (33) during the second half of an NBA basketball game Thursday, Feb. 20, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

Cleveland Cavaliers' Donovan Mitchell (45) drives past Brooklyn Nets' Day'Ron Sharpe (20) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Thursday, Feb. 20, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

Cleveland Cavaliers' Darius Garland (10) drives past Brooklyn Nets' D'Angelo Russell (1) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Thursday, Feb. 20, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

Cleveland Cavaliers' Jarrett Allen (31) shoots over Brooklyn Nets' Killian Hayes (7) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Thursday, Feb. 20, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

Cleveland Cavaliers' Evan Mobley (4) dunks the ball in front of Brooklyn Nets' Trendon Watford (9) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Thursday, Feb. 20, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

Cleveland Cavaliers' Donovan Mitchell (45) fights for control of the ball with Brooklyn Nets' Ziaire Williams (8) during the second half of an NBA basketball game Thursday, Feb. 20, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

Brooklyn Nets' Nic Claxton (33) dunks the ball during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Cleveland Cavaliers Thursday, Feb. 20, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

Brooklyn Nets' Ziaire Williams (8) defends Cleveland Cavaliers' Donovan Mitchell (45) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Thursday, Feb. 20, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

Cleveland Cavaliers' Donovan Mitchell (45) shoots over Brooklyn Nets' Jalen Wilson (22) and Trendon Watford during the first half of an NBA basketball game Thursday, Feb. 20, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

ISLAMABAD (AP) — A gas cylinder explosion early Sunday after a wedding reception at a home in Pakistan’s capital killed at least eight people, including the bride and groom, police and officials said.

The blast occurred as guests who had gathered to celebrate the couple were sleeping at the house, causing part of the house to collapse, according to the Islamabad police. Seven people were injured.

In a statement, police said the explosion occurred in a residential area in the heart of the city. A government administrator, Sahibzada Yousaf, said authorities were alerted about the blast early Sunday and officers are still investigating. He said some nearby homes were also damaged.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed grief over the loss of lives and offered condolences to the victims’ families, according to a statement from his office. He directed health authorities to ensure the injured receive the best possible treatment and ordered a full investigation.

Many Pakistani households rely on liquefied petroleum gas cylinders because of low natural gas pressure, and such cylinders have been linked to deadly accidents caused by gas leaks. Police said investigations were ongoing.

Government officials survey the damage of a home caused by a gas cylinder explosion hours after a wedding reception, in Islamabad, Pakistan, Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Ehsan Shahzad)