Caris LeVert’s Sizzling Second Half Caps Off Cavs’ Comeback Win

The Cleveland swingman scored 21 of his team-high 29 points in the second half of the Cavaliers' 20-point comeback win over the Dallas Mavericks, including 15 in the fourth quarter.

On Wednesday night, the Cleveland Cavaliers were down 50-30 to the Dallas Mavericks with 9:45 remaining in the first half.

With Cleveland’s three leading scorers out for their fifth straight game, the Wine and Gold desperately needed someone to get into an offensive groove if they wanted to come back and win.

After missing the Cavaliers’ previous game due to left knee tendonitis, Caris LeVert rose to the occasion in a big way, especially late in the contest.

The 29-year-old scored 15 of his team-high 29 points in the fourth quarter, as Cleveland defeated Dallas 113-110 to earn its largest comeback victory of the season. According to @CavsNotes on X, LeVert’s 15 fourth-quarter points were tied for the fourth-most such points in a game in his NBA career.

The @cavs outscored the Mavericks 59-41 in the 2nd half. @CarisLeVert scored 21 of his team-high 29 PTS in the 2nd half, including 15 in the 4th Q.

LeVert's 15 PTS in the final period were tied for his 4th-most in a 4th Q of his @NBA career. #LetEmKnow

— Cavs Notes (@CavsNotes) December 28, 2023

LeVert shot 5-for-8 (62.5%) from the field in the final period, while converting both of his three-point attempts and shooting 3-for-4 (75%) from the free-throw line. Cleveland’s sixth-man also sank a pair of three-pointers in the third quarter, as he totaled 21 points in the second half.

Dec 27, 2023; Dallas, Texas, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard Caris LeVert (3) reacts after the game against the Dallas Mavericks at American Airlines Center / © Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

Overall, LeVert made a season-high six three-pointers, while adding seven assists and two rebounds.

After the game, Cavaliers head coach J.B. Bickerstaff was asked if this was the swingman’s best game of the season so far.

“I think it was the game of the moment. We needed him in that second half to find a way to produce buckets. He’s one of the guys that we have left here that can iso and create on his own right now. And when you’re playing a team that’s well-coached like the Mavs, sometimes your stuff is going to break down, and you need a guy to go get one. And I thought Caris was extremely timely on the offensive end for us.”