Cleveland Cavaliers rookie Meleek Thomas delivered an impressive NBA debut on Monday night. The guard scored 16 points to spark a 127-125 overtime victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Capitalising On The Opportunity
Thomas did not play in Cleveland’s first two games of the season. He entered the game late in the first quarter and quickly made an impact. The 20-year-old scored 10 points in the first half alone. He finished the game shooting 60 percent from the field. He also converted four of his five attempts from three-point range.
Earning Praise From Teammates
Donovan Mitchell led the Cavaliers with 25 points. The All-Star guard praised Thomas for his fearless approach and defensive attention to detail. Head coach Kenny Atkinson also commended the rookie. Atkinson noted the team needed a third ball handler to relieve pressure on Mitchell and James Harden.
Looking Ahead
The victory required a significant comeback. Cleveland trailed by 15 points in the first half before rallying in the third quarter. Thomas did not play in the final nine minutes of regulation or overtime. However, his early offensive production proved crucial to the final result.