The Cleveland Cavaliers became just the fourth team in NBA history to start a season 15-0 after beating the Charlotte Hornets 128-114 on Sunday night.

But it was the Cavaliers who shot to the top of the standings this fall, with a franchise-record 15-game winning streak that left them as the last unbeaten team in the league. Coach Kenny Atkinson was the first NBA coach ever to win his first 15 games with a new team.

The Cleveland Cavaliers entered the TD Garden with the second-longest winning streak to start a season in NBA history. However, that streak ended at 15 games with their 120-117 loss to the Boston Celtics.

The Boston Celtics handed the Cleveland Cavaliers their first defeat of the season on Tuesday, holding off a spirited fightback to record a thrilling 120-117 victory.

The defending NBA champions held off the league’s hottest team, with Jayson Tatum scoring 33 points and adding 12 rebounds to lead the Boston Celtics to a 120-117 victory over Cleveland and hand the Cavaliers their first loss after 15 straight wins to open the season.

Think of the best starts in NBA history. They tend to look pretty similar. The Golden State Warriors kicked off the 2015-16 season with 24 consecutive wins, They were a defending champion with an MVP hitting his prime in Stephen Curry.

This one wasn’t about their perfect season or a 15-game winning streak or even the NBA Cup. This was a chance for the undefeated Cleveland Cavaliers to see where they stood against the defending champions.

All he needed was the platform. When Kenny Atkinson walked into Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse on Wednesday night, he faced a dilemma. The Cavs, coming off their first loss of the season, were reeling from a laundry list of injuries: Darius Garland (groin),