**ATLANTA —** The Cleveland Cavaliers demonstrated exceptional sportsmanship Thursday night by declining two consecutive opportunities to tie their game against the Atlanta Hawks, allowing the home team to enjoy a hard-earned 114–111 victory without the inconvenience of overtime.
With Cleveland trailing by three on the final possession, Donovan Mitchell attempted a potential game-tying three-pointer.
He missed.
Then, in an extraordinary display of generosity, the basketball gods provided him with another opportunity.
Mitchell declined that one too.
"We appreciate the offer, but we're going to pass," a completely fictional Cavaliers spokesperson explained. "Twice, apparently."
The gracious ending followed an evening in which Cleveland had already demonstrated a remarkable commitment to making Atlanta feel welcome.
After building a 15-point first-quarter lead, the Cavaliers watched the Hawks respond with a 19–2 second-quarter run, apparently deciding that maintaining a comfortable advantage would be disrespectful to the hosts.
Onyeka Okongwu took full advantage, finishing with 29 points and 12 rebounds, while Nickeil Alexander-Walker added 25 points and the two free throws that ultimately gave Atlanta its three-point cushion.
Mitchell scored 22 points, including a layup that brought Cleveland within one with 20.6 seconds remaining.
James Harden contributed 24 points, although neither veteran could convince the Cavaliers that winning four consecutive games was worth potentially extending Thursday's schedule.
According to imaginary league officials, Cleveland's decision is being reviewed as a possible breakthrough in player-load management.
Why play another five minutes when everyone could simply go home?
**At press time, the NBA was reportedly considering eliminating overtime entirely after discovering teams could just miss the shots required to reach it.**
