標籤: Cavs

The Orlando Magic are in a free fall right now, as their losing streak is now six games after a 136-131 loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers on Tuesday night. From being in contention for the fifth or sixth seed, they have now dropped to eighth in the Eastern Conference standings, as they could not find a way to end their bleeding against the Cavs.

It’s not that the Magic are playing terribly. Sure, two of their last six losses came by double digits, 12 losses to the Atlanta Hawks and 19 losses to the Charlotte Hornets. But his other losses have been close; They lost to the Oklahoma City Thunder by just five after their bench struggled, they lost a Luke Kennard game-winner, and they suffered consecutive losses to the Indiana Pacers and Cavs by a total of seven points.

Still, the Magic are showing worrisome signs on the hardwood, and fans, as a result, are not very confident about head coach Jamahl Mosley and his ability to lead the team to where they want to be at the end of the season.

Magic fans vote of no confidence in head coach Jamahl Mosley

The loss to the Pacers has already left many Magic fans mentally disturbed, and another loss doesn’t help matters, causing more panic on social media.

“Why is Mosley still employed?” X user @Lblax31 wrote.

@MoGMD01 said, “Mosley is arguably the worst coach in the NBA.”

@finnfromny added, “Loved it, but Mosley should be on a commercial flight out of Cleveland.”

@TheChadIsGreat3 wrote, “Please fire Moseley! We know DeVos lives by the Bible; tell him firing a terrible head coach is the 11th commandment.”

“F**k you Jamal Mosley,” @LosMagicARG emphatically expressed.

As the Cleveland Cavaliers’ season begins to wind down, there are questions as to who will join James Harden, Donovan Mitchell, Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen in the Cavs’ starting lineup when the playoffs arrive. Due to injuries and sporadic player availability, it has been difficult to establish consistency in the five matches before the start of the month, making decisions not easy.

However, as Cleveland head coach Kenny Atkinson has mentioned in the past, that’s why he has the job he does. Ultimately it is up to him and his staff to make the difficult decisions, such as who starts, who ends, and how many people play.

“We probably have to get to nine,” Atkinson said last week in Milwaukee. “I’m still evaluating who fits in and who will lead the way in terms of coming into the rotation. I still think we haven’t made a clear decision on who that nine is.

“But it’s hard to play 10. You might be able to do it early in the first round; you might be able to do it in the early games. But eventually, you get to nine or eight. We know that, but I still think we have to evaluate, especially our wings. We have a lot of wings right now.”

Realistically, the Cavs can pick whoever they want since they have a number of similar swingmen.

Here are the most likely candidates for that final starting spot.

dean wade

Atkinson likes the defensive versatility that Dean Wade brings to the table and, in turn, has rewarded him with the job when healthy. It makes sense because he’s a 6-foot-9, 230-pound underutilized player who can knock down open threes and rebound. People get frustrated when he doesn’t make shots and even more excited when he turns down shots, but the reality is that the veteran forward simply needs to be a threat on the perimeter of space and get closeouts.

The Cavs don’t need to be a big scorer; Just look at who she’s on the floor with. Don’t let the box score determine your opinion of Wade. As long as he’s doing his job – defending, breaking the glass, and making the perfect next play, which involves shooting the ball – then he’s the man for the job. He, Mobley and Allen form a trio that makes it difficult for any opponent to consistently counter, which makes sense considering they have been playing together for five seasons.

Furthermore, if the decision is made to send him to the bench, Wade isn’t exactly a prolific scorer to promote him in the way most sixth men typically do.

From the beginning, Atkinson has made it clear that Max Strus’ postseason berth is a lock. In four games, despite the ban, he has averaged 23.5 minutes per contest. While Strus’ season debut is doing the heavy lifting, he is averaging 8.8 points, 7.0 rebounds and 2.0 assists on .440/.409/1.000 shooting splits. Similar to Wade, the 29-year-old doesn’t need the ball in his hands to be effective on a nightly basis for Cleveland.

However, Strus can handle the rock, and he has proven capable in the past with the Cavs’ rolling bigs in half-court scenarios. He’s a pocket passer with Allen in the two-man game, and Atkinson thinks there’s still potential with Mobley in dribble handoffs, as he did with Bam Adebayo in Miami. Strus has an uncanny knack for hitting contested threes, being in the right place at the right time for a backtap, and saving possessions with a quick game.

He gives Cleveland solid strength at third, and he has been a (healthy) everyday starter for Cleveland since signing as a free agent in the summer of 2023. If he is physically prepared and ready for the tough conditions of the postseason after this disappointing injury, he will be a big factor.

jaylon tyson

Switching roles isn’t as easy as Jaylon Tyson has had to do this season, but he’s handled it with ease. The burden from being one of the most important players on your team to playing less than 20 minutes in three consecutive games takes a toll on the mind. And yet, the second-year rising star is doing exactly what he’s asked in a specific role. Tyson was rewarded for that on Thursday night in Chicago, as he had an 18-point, 11-rebound performance before suffering a toe injury.

Injury aside, is it fair to ask Tyson, who emerged as a secondary playmaker in short roles next to Mitchell and Co. in the first half of the season, to do a similar job to Wade or Strus? It feels like it puts him in a kind of box, unlike what we saw in the first months. If he’s in the starting five, will he be limited to a low-usage role player, or will Cleveland free him up to the max be that? There can be no questioning his commitment as an individual defender or the attitude he brings to the field, although he has been self-critical about losing the ball to opponents on backdoor cuts.

Understanding that people have to pay their dues, it looks like Tyson has earned his money and shouldn’t be going back. If coming off the bench allows him to thrive in a looser unit as a facilitator and scorer, so be it. It’s admirable that he’s willing to be what the team wants him to be, but perhaps coaches should think twice about what they’re asking of him.

keon ellis

Keon Ellis made his first two starts for the Cavs in mid-March against the Dallas Mavericks. As a player he’s “still discovering,” Atkinson has a real passion for how he works in the pocket with his float game. Additionally, Ellis has shown a burst of driving from close to the perimeter, and Cleveland has been pleased with the increase in his offensive rebounding rate since his arrival.

It’s hard to argue against Ellis in terms of his defensive ability. He sees the dramas before they happen, acts on them, and resorts to alcohol and sleep on a nightly basis. Atkinson doesn’t mind playing him, and he also won’t hesitate to toss him to the 4 in small-ball sets. Ellis makes a lot of logical sense as a starter due to his low usage and patience.

Sam Merrill

It’s been a career season for Sam Merrill, who is averaging 12.8 points on a career-high 66.2% true shooting. He has started in 33 of his 45 appearances this season, and has had an almost even split between playing at 2 and 3. Merrill is an off-ball threat with consistent movement. His processing speed has improved tremendously with more reps, allowing him to establish chemistry with Harden and consistently thrive next to Mitchell.

Always on the floor, Merrill will leave his body to screen and defend despite being hunted. He will take the charge and ensure that he is present to contest the elections. It appears he is better suited at shooting guard because he is not forced to guard long, tall wings, but he is a starting-caliber player in this league. You can’t just look at Meryl one-dimensionally anymore. He will force you to pay off the dribble, get to the basket with cuts and take advantage of any piece of space.

However, who is the right Cavs fit?

The Cavs have an abundance of talent in the wing room for the modern league. Due to the length and strength of his potential opponents at 3, Wade makes the most logical sense. Last year was the only time Cleveland was able to field a healthy version of him in the postseason, and he was 10th in the rotation in the first round. Due to untimely injuries, the team had to throw him into the fire when the Indiana Pacers series was coming to an end.

Wade played only one postseason game with Mobley and Allen, lasting four minutes. One of the team’s most effective trio over the past few years has barely made an appearance due to bad luck and lack of opportunity. For example, Wade, Mobley and Allen shared the floor for 249 minutes last season.

This year, in 163 minutes, the combination has a net rating of plus-17.2, with tremendous balance on both ends of the floor. Ultimately seeing this happen with talents like Harden and Mitchell in the starting five last April could be the key to getting off to a good start defensively and setting the tone on the board.

Good defense leads to good offense. Its as simple as that.

Who gets to close out Cavs games is a different story.

The Cleveland Cavs will visit the New Orleans Pelicans on Saturday night. Donovan Mitchell is on the injury report along with Jarrett Allen, with one player listed as questionable and the other ruled out. Mitchell is nursing a left eye injury, while Allen is suffering from right knee tendinitis. Here’s everything we know about Donovan Mitchell’s injury and his playing status against the Pelicans.

Donovan Mitchell’s injury status vs. Pelicans

Given that Donovan Mitchell is listed as questionable on the Cavaliers’ injury report, it is difficult to predict whether he will play in Saturday’s contest against the Pelicans. Mitchell made NBA history with a hat-trick of career accomplishments in a single game. With the 20+ point performance he reached 15,000 career points, surpassing Mark Price for sixth most in franchise history, and scored his 200th 3-pointer of the regular season.

Still, Mitchell’s eye injury forced him to sit out Thursday’s 115-110 win against the Bulls. While the Cavs have won their last two games, they are 6-4 in their last 10 contests. With only 12 games remaining in the regular season, the Cavs (43-27) are one of the few teams that can overtake the Knicks for third place in the Eastern Conference.

The Knicks (46-25) hold a 2.5-game lead. The Cavs have distanced themselves from the fifth-seeded Raptors (39-30) in recent weeks, powering the Eastern Conference’s top-4 squads during the fourth quarter of the regular season.

Mitchell finished with 19 points, eight rebounds, three assists, one block and one steal in his last outing against the Bucks. As for whether Donovan Mitchell is playing tonight against the Pelicans, the answer is probably.

Cavs injury report

Jarrett Allen – Out – Right knee; tendinitis

Donovan Mitchell – questionable – left eye; Indigo

Craig Porter Jr. – Outside – left groin; strain

Tyrese Proctor – Out – Right Quadricep

Jaylon Tyson – Questionable – Left toe; Sprain

pelicans injury report

Bryce McGowens – Outside – Right little toe; fracture

The Cleveland Cavaliers will face the Chicago Bulls on Thursday night in the second game of their road trip. Donovan Mitchell is listed as questionable on the injury report with an eye injury. Jarrett Allen is out for the Cavs as he deals with right knee tendinitis.

Here’s everything we know about the game situation for Donovan Mitchell vs. the Bulls.

Donovan Mitchell’s injury status vs. Bulls

When it comes to the question of whether Donovan Mitchell is playing tonight against the Bulls, the answer is probably. Mitchell’s name was not included on the injury report until the afternoon due to a left eye injury. There was plenty of bloodshed in the Cavs’ win over the Milwaukee Bucks on Tuesday.

“I can’t really see out of my left eye tonight,” Mitchell said after a 19-point performance on 4-of-14 from the floor. Their focus was on making an impact with the ball and on the glass while Evan Mobley and James Harden continued to build their chemistry.

Cleveland will also be without Jarrett Allen for the seventh consecutive game, and based on the latest update we know he will be sidelined again on Saturday against the New Orleans Pelicans. Craig Porter Jr. is expected to be out at least a week with a left groin strain, while Tyrese Proctor has still not been cleared to play because of a right quadriceps strain.

No surprises on the Bulls’ injury sheet. Zach Collins, Jaden Ivey and Noah Esengue are out of action, while a pair of their two-way players are on assignment with the G League Windy City.

Cavs injury report

Donovan Mitchell: Suspect (injury in left eye)

Jarrett Allen: Out (tendinitis of the right knee)

Craig Porter Jr: out (stretching the left waist)

Tyrese Proctor: Out (right quad strain)

OLIVIER SARR: AUGUST (Two-Way G League Assignment)

oxen injury report

Jaden Ivy: Out (left patellofemoral syndrome)

Zach Collins: out (right big toe surgery)

Noah Asengue: Out (left shoulder surgery)

Yuki Kawamura: Out (Two-Way G League Assignment)

Mac McClung: Out (Two-Way G League Assignment)

This is the fourth year of the Cleveland Cavaliers’ competitive journey with Donovan Mitchell in town, and they have yet to advance beyond the second round of the NBA playoffs. But if there was ever a year for the Cavs to reach the playoffs, it was in 2026, when they made the aggressive move of acquiring 36-year-old veteran James Harden in exchange for the original member of their main four, Darius Garland, who is only 26 years old.

The trade for Harden signaled the Cavs’ intent to accelerate their competitive timeline, gunning for dominance in a wide-open Eastern Conference playoff picture. Harden has given the Cavs a higher floor than Garland, and he has at least had more playoff success than anyone on the roster, giving them another battle-tested player to try and get over the hump.

But in the playoffs, many times the matchups play a huge role in determining a team’s chances of advancing to the championship. The Cavs unfortunately ran into the red-hot Indiana Pacers last year, lost to the more physically imposing New York Knicks in a first-round matchup in 2023, and then ran into the eventual champion Boston Celtics in 2024.

However, it seems like the Cavs are in a lucky position this time, just in case they enter the postseason at full strength.

Here is the playoff seeding scenario the Cavs should expect with less than a month to go before the playoffs begin.

The Cavs finished fourth, drew with the Magic in the first round, and faced the Pistons in the second round.

Currently, the Cavs are in fourth place in the Eastern Conference standings, as they are currently behind the Detroit Pistons, Boston Celtics, and New York Knicks. They suffered a slow start to the 2025–26 season, which prompted them to remodel the team during the trade deadline, bringing in Harden and turning De’Andre Hunter and Lonzo Ball into viable playoff rotation pieces in Dennis Schroder and Keon Ellis.

This slow start caused many fans to be nervous at the start of the campaign, but perhaps this is what enabled them to make a deep playoff run in the first place.

The Cavs should be favored in any first-round matchup, regardless of which team comes up against them. The Toronto Raptors could make things worse, but not before Cleveland moved on with Harden and Jarrett Allen. Nonetheless, they don’t want to tempt fate against Toronto, a team that has won three games against them this season.

Cleveland handled Miami last year, but the Heat have a much better lineup this year, and they have been playing great basketball in recent weeks, finding their stride with less than a month to go before the playoffs. The Philadelphia 76ers would be an ideal matchup, but given their injury problems, they don’t have enough firepower to climb up to fifth place.

The Atlanta Hawks and Charlotte Hornets may be good matchups for the Cavs, but playoff battles against teams that have nothing to lose are never fun for teams that are feeling a sense of urgency in their competitive timeline.

This makes the matchup against the Magic ideal for the Cavs.

Orlando doesn’t have the depth to match up with Cleveland, and they’re missing some key guys at the moment – ​​Franz Wagner and Anthony Black are dealing with nagging injuries. He could return in time for the playoffs, but it’s unclear exactly how well he’ll be able to play, given how long his absence has been.

To that end, facing the Magic seems like the most ideal first-round matchup for the Cavs. Being a playoff team the last few years, the Magic have posed such a serious threat to the Cavs that Cleveland will not let their guard down, and at least on paper, they should not have enough resources to overcome the Cavs in a seven-game series.

If they ultimately beat the Magic, they are also avoiding a potential second-round matchup against either the Celtics or Knicks, two of the three teams that sent them home in the playoffs the last three seasons. This should at least set them up for an easy matchup against the Detroit Pistons on paper.

The Pistons have established themselves as a legitimate contending team this season, but their playoff potential has yet to be tested. Last year, they were still “happy to be there” on the playoff team, but this year, they are the favorites: Do they have the mentality to fight off teams that may be gunning for their heads as prey?

There are also some ways to better prepare for the Pistons matchup from a Cavs perspective. Bringing in Harden gives them one less defensive liability; While he isn’t the best defender, his lateral agility isn’t the best either. But he has more size than Garland and is much better suited to integrate into a more tenacious team defensive gameplan.

The Pistons are also relying on a few players who will dare to make open shots from the perimeter. Their best perimeter defender, Aussie Thompson, has significant shortcomings on offense. He has questionable secondary shot-making; Dennis Jenkins’ purple patch appears to be over, Marcus Sasser is a target on defense, and Caris LeVert is like a box of chocolates.

If the Cavs can slow down Cade Cunningham, it’s going to be a question of who the Pistons will run to on offense. Jalen Duren has been great all year, but Cleveland has an Allen-Evan Mobley duo that has made life difficult for him, to say the least. Tobias Harris is not a respectable playoff performer.

Scoring in the halfcourt becomes more important in the playoffs, and unlike the Knicks and Celtics – the Pistons have significant question marks on that end.

That doesn’t mean the Pistons will be an easy matchup at all. They can also suffocate the Cavs with defense and physicality, which has been their calling card this season. But in the playoffs, there are hardly any easy matches. However, the matchups are easier than others, and the Pistons certainly look more beatable in a postseason setting than other contenders in the East.

The Cavs–Pistons season series is also tied 2–2, which suggests the teams are closer to each other in ability than in the standings.

The Cleveland Cavaliers and Milwaukee Bucks will play on Tuesday night. However, Giannis Antetokounmpo is struggling with an injury.

Giannis was on the injury report before being available for Milwaukee’s game on Sunday against the Indiana Pacers, a game the Bucks won 134–123. However, Antetokounmpo suffered an injury during the matchup.

Here’s everything we know about Giannis Antetokounmpo’s injury status for tonight’s game vs. the Cavs.

Giannis Antetokounmpo’s injury status vs. Cavs

Giannis is dealing with a left ankle sprain. The Bucks superstar is questionable to play on Tuesday night, according to the NBA injury report.

Milwaukee is hoping to pull off an upset win. The 28-39 Bucks are in 11th place in the Eastern Conference standings. Meanwhile, the Cavs are 41-27 and in fourth place in the Eastern Conference.

It goes without saying, but Antetokounmpo’s final injury status will be important for the Bucks as they look to upset the Cavaliers. However, when it comes to the question of whether Giannis Antetokounmpo is playing tonight vs. the Cavs, the answer is probably.

bucks injury report

The Bucks have five players listed on the injury report for Tuesday night’s game.

• Giannis Antetokounmpo (sprained left ankle): Questionable.
• Ousmane Dieng (illness): doubtful
• Myles Turner (right calf strain): doubtful
• Alex Antetokounmpo (G League Two-Way): Out
• Cormac Ryan (G League Two-Way): Out

Cavs injury report

The Cavs have six players on the injury report.

• Jaylon Tyson (left ankle soreness): Probable
• Sam Merrill (left hamstring tightness): doubtful
• Jarrett Allen (right knee tendonitis) out
• Craig Porter Jr. (left groin strain): out
• Tyrese Proctor (right quadricep strain): out
• Olivier Sarr (G League two-way): out

There have been many stories told about the Cleveland Cavaliers’ unforgettable title run in 2016. But Iman Shumpert’s revelation about Tony Allen’s role in helping them shut down the Golden State Warriors is a new one.

The Warriors were juggernauts that year, winning a record 73 games. They took a 3–1 lead against the Cavaliers in the NBA Finals and appeared poised to capture their second consecutive title. However, Cleveland came back strongly and pulled off a most improbable comeback for the team’s first title.

On “Out in the Mud”, Shumpert admitted that he and JR Smith were having “a nice little battle” with Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson defensively in the series. Shumpert said Allen called him to give him some suggestions.

“M********* called me right away. ‘Hey, brother, you got Klay right? Who do you have, Klay or Steph? I know you got one of them.'” Shumpert recalled.

“I said, ‘Don’t help. Wherever you are, I don’t care, going to help, there’s no help,'” said Allen, who was with the Memphis Grizzlies at the time.

When a three-time All-NBA Defensive First Team member tells you how to play defense, you listen. So that’s exactly what Shumpert and Smith did. Ultimately, they survived the Warriors, winning a classic battle in Game 7.

“He (Allen) said, ‘There’s no help, and get used to it, you’re going to have about three rebounds.’ He said, ‘Why?’ Who do you want to get a rebound for? If they get a rebound, where is it going? And what if you’re not there?’ But it seemed to make sense,” Shumpert said.

While Curry and Thompson still got their numbers, Shumpert said he and Smith performed poorly against them even on Allen’s advice. Matthew Dellavedova also played a huge role in protecting the Splash Brothers.

Allen had his fair share of intense feuds with Curry and Thompson, with the Grizzlies and Warriors meeting several times in the regular season. Golden State defeated Memphis 4–2 in the conference semifinals en route to the title in 2015.

Dallas Mavericks veteran Klay Thompson is on the team’s injury report ahead of facing the Cleveland Cavs on Sunday. After Mavericks rookie Cooper Flagg’s historic night in a 138-105 loss to the Cavs, he’ll likely miss a rematch on the road. Flagg recorded his 25th 20+ point game, passing Hall of Fame guard Kobe Bryant for most 20+ point performances by a teenager.

Thompson is listed as questionable on the Mavericks’ injury report for Sunday’s rematch against the Cavs. He joins center Daniel Gafford, who is battling an illness and is also questionable. Caleb Martin is listed as probable for Dallas.

After a 21-point performance in the Mavericks’ 124-112 loss to the Atlanta Hawks, Thompson finished with six points and two rebounds on 3-for-11 shooting in a 138-105 loss to the Cavs on Friday. This season he is averaging 11.8 points on 39.2% shooting, including 38% from deep, 2.3 rebounds and 1.4 assists per game.

All-Star Donovan Mitchell and the Cavs will be looking for their first consecutive wins since a seven-game winning streak in February. The Mavericks have lost nine of their last 10 games.

mavericks injury report

Daniel Gafford – Suspect – Illness

Kyrie Irving – Out – Left knee; surgery

Derek Lively II – Outside – right foot; surgery

Caleb Martin – probable – left finger; Sprain

Klay Thompson – Doubtful – Rest

PJ Washington – Out – Left ankle; agony

Cavs injury report

Jarrett Allen – Out – Right knee; tendonitis

Keon Ellis – Available – Left index finger; fracture

James Harden – Available – Right thumb; fracture

Sam Merrill – Out – Left hamstring; tightness

Craig Porter Jr. – Outside – left groin; strain

Tyrese Proctor – right quad; strain

Max Strus – probable – left foot; Surgery-Jones Fracture

Jaylon Tyson – Questionable – Left ankle; agony

Cooper Flagg broke Kobe Bryant’s NBA record after his performance in the Dallas Mavericks’ 138-105 loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers on Friday night.

Flagg is spending the first season of his career with the Mavericks. After a slow start, he has made serious progress as he continues to live up to expectations as one of the best rookies in the draft.

In the running for the Rookie of the Year award this season, Flagg has continued to put in incredible performances that promise Dallas’ long-term potential. After the team’s latest game against Cleveland, the young forward achieved another record in NBA history.

In 29 minutes of action, Flagg finished with a stat line of 25 points, five assists and four rebounds. He made 8 of 16 shots from the field, including 1 of 3 from beyond the arc and 8 of 8 from the free-throw line.

Flagg recorded a 20-point game for the 25th time this season, having already achieved the record at the age of 19. He surpassed Bryant for most 20-point games by a teenager in NBA history.

Mavs rookie Cooper Flagg has passed Kobe Bryant for most 20+ point games by a teenager in NBA history.

🔸Cooper Flag: 25 20+ point games
🔸Kobe Bryant: 24 20+ point games

Every night he takes the court, he shows why he is one of the brightest young stars in the world… pic.twitter.com/tqkwYovZCt

– ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) 14 March 2026

Cooper Flagg, how the Mavericks played against the Cavaliers

Cooper Flagg’s historic efforts were not enough as the Cavaliers’ offense was too much for the Mavericks in a blowout loss at home.

Five players, including Flagg, scored in double figures for Dallas in the loss. Najee Marshall came in next with a solid performance of 17 points, seven rebounds, three assists and one steal. He made 7 of 12 shots overall, including 2 of 4 from downtown and 1 of 4 from the charity stripe. Max Christie had 12 points, Brandon Williams added 12 points and three assists, while Dwight Powell provided 11 points and 11 rebounds.

Dallas fell to a 22–45 record on the season and finished 12th in the Western Conference standings. They are above the New Orleans Pelicans and Utah Jazz while trailing the Memphis Grizzlies and Portland Trail Blazers.

The Mavericks will look to bounce back in their next match at home. They will host the Cavaliers in a rematch as tip-off will take place on March 15 at 3:30 PM ET.

The Dallas Mavericks will face off against the Cleveland Cavaliers, and they will be without a handful of their players for the matchup. In the Mavericks’ latest game against the Memphis Grizzlies, Klay Thompson was ruled out due to rest, and that meant he played more minutes than usual in the game before facing the Atlanta Hawks.

On the second night of a back-to-back, the Mavericks would rule out Daniel Gafford due to rest after he finished with 22 points and 14 rebounds against the Grizzlies. PJ Washington is listed as questionable with a sore left ankle, and Najee Marshall is listed as questionable with a sore left foot.

Of course, other players on the list have been out most of the season due to injuries, such as Kyrie Irving and Derek Lively II.

The league has never been afraid to look at why teams aren’t playing specific players, but the Mavericks have a good argument if they do. This is back-to-back, and they actually won the game against the Grizzlies, so it doesn’t seem like they’re obviously trying to lose the game.

It has been a tough season overall for the Mavericks health-wise, as most of their key players have been in and out of the lineup. Irving did not fit in at all as he recovered from an ACL injury suffered last season. When Anthony Davis was still on the team, he only played 20 games due to injuries, and he has yet to play for the Washington Wizards.

Before the All-Star break, Cooper Flagg suffered a foot injury that caused him to miss a few games, but he has been able to return and play in the last few games.

It may be disappointing for Mavericks fans to wonder what this team would look like if everyone were available at the same time.

Ask any fan who the greatest player in Orlando Magic history is. The answer is usually limited to just four players: Shaquille O’Neal, Penny Hardaway, Tracy McGrady and Dwight Howard.

Although he’s still a long way from those legendary names, Desmond Benn is slowly making his mark in Orlando.

In his first stint with the Magic, Ben has already made game-winners and scored explosively, silencing critics who turned up their noses at the team’s decision to trade for him in the offseason.

In Wednesday’s 128-122 win over the Cleveland Cavaliers at the Kia Center, Ben had another impressive performance. He scored a game-high 35 points on 12-of-19 shooting, six rebounds and six assists. He had no turnovers.

According to ESPN Insights, the 27-year-old guard became only third player O’Neal and McGrady set a team history record of 35 points, five assists and zero turnovers in a single game.

Desmond Benn is the third different player in Magic history with 35 points, 5 assists and 0 turnovers in a game.

He joins Tracy McGrady (3 times, last in 2003) and Shaquille O’Neal (1994) 🗒️ pic.twitter.com/AJzQvVvebA

– ESPN Insights (@ESPNInsights) 12 March 2026

Not bad at all for someone who is on his first visit to Orlando.

The Magic won their fifth consecutive game and went up 36–28. The Cavaliers, meanwhile, fell to 40-26.

The Magic dropped their last two meetings against the Cavaliers.

Many eyebrows were raised when the Magic acquired Benn from the Memphis Grizzlies in exchange for Cole Anthony, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and four unprotected first-round picks. The consensus was that the Magic gave up too much.

However, Bane has shown his worth. He got off to a slow start as he was still adjusting to his new team, but has since found his rhythm, showcasing the two-way talent that has made him one of the more dependable players in the NBA.

The Philadelphia 76ers provided the latest update on rookie guard VJ Edgecombe ahead of Tuesday night’s matchup against the Memphis Grizzlies, as the team deals with multiple injuries during a crucial stretch of the regular season.

Edgecomb is listed as questionable on the injury report with a lumbar injury after missing the team’s most recent game. Philadelphia (34-30) will attempt to stop its recent decline in the Eastern Conference standings when it hosts Memphis (23-40) on Tuesday at 7:00 PM ET.

The 20-year-old guard last appeared in the 76ers’ 131-91 loss to the San Antonio Spurs last Tuesday, when he suffered an injury. Edgecombe finished that contest with six points, four rebounds, two blocks, one assist and one steal in 20 minutes. He shot 2 of 9 from the field and 2 of 3 from the free-throw line before being taken out of the lineup for the next game.

Despite his recent absences, Edgecombe has been one of Philadelphia’s most productive young contributors during his rookie campaign. In 57 appearances this season, the guard is averaging 15.3 points, 5.5 rebounds, 3.9 assists and 1.5 steals per game. He is shooting 42.7% from the field and 36.1% from 3-point range while logging 35.1 minutes per contest.

76ers battle injuries as VJ Edgecombe’s status remains uncertain

His potential availability comes at a critical time for Philadelphia, which has lost two consecutive games and four of its last six. The team dropped to the eighth seed in the Eastern Conference standings after a 115-101 loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers on Monday night.

Philadelphia has struggled to maintain continuity amid several key injuries. Tyrese Maxey is out with a sprained right finger, while former MVP center Joel Embiid is expected to be out at least a week with a strained right finger.

Those absences have put additional pressure on the rest of the 76ers’ rotation as they attempt to remain competitive in a tightly packed Eastern Conference race. The team has made a record of 4-6 in its last 10 matches.

Edgecombe’s status will likely be determined closer to tipoff as Philadelphia evaluates his recovery from a lumbar injury. If cleared to play, the rookie could provide needed backcourt production and defensive activity as the 76ers look to stabilize their lineup against a Grizzlies team trying to build momentum during the closing stretch of the season.

The Cleveland Cavaliers host the Boston Celtics for a primetime matchup on Sunday afternoon in the Eastern Conference.

The Celtics controlled the game from start to finish, in fact, outside of the Cavaliers’ early 8-point lead. The Celtics would bounce back quickly and take a 26-point lead in the third quarter. Jaylen Brown, Jayson Tatum and Peyton Pritchard are not going to let the Cavs come from behind to win games. The Celtics would hold on for a 109-98 victory as Cleveland would do everything possible to come back.

The Celtics are now 43-21 in the East, and the Cavs are 39-25, four games back and two games behind the New York Knicks. The C’s are now just three games behind the Detroit Pistons, who face the Miami Heat on Sunday.

Brown was the star of the game for the Celtics and had 23 points, nine rebounds and eight assists in the win. Brown is having one of the best seasons in Celtics history, and could be an MVP candidate by the end of the season.

In 27 minutes, Tatum scored 20 points on 6-16 shooting with three rebounds and two assists. The returning superstar scored 12 points in the first quarter and gave himself and the team a lot of confidence heading into that important match. The Celtics are 3-0 against Cleveland this season, and have won the season series, giving them the playoff tiebreaker over the Cavs if they need it.

Tatum hit a dagger triple at the end of the fourth quarter to secure the victory for the Celtics. The Cavs weren’t going out quietly, and the Celtics needed to hit a few more shots to stay put.

what goes up 🎯 pic.twitter.com/TNLwVXlUJC

– Boston Celtics (@celtics) 8 March 2026

With JT back, hitting shots like this could get the league in trouble. This Celtics team has been the better team in the Eastern Conference since 2021, and they have more experience than anyone in the East. Paul Pierce thinks his former Celtics will win the East this season with Tatum’s return.

“He’s back,” Pierce said in a sing-song voice while recording Tatum’s postgame interview. “The East is in trouble, you better be careful because here we come. Let’s figure it out.”

Nikola Vucevic’s injury is serious, but he will be back before the playoffs start. This Celtics team is very deep for Tatum, and as mentioned above, will benefit from experience.

The Celtics have owned the Cavs all season, and even though Cleveland will be a threat in the playoffs, they have shown no signs of being able to beat Boston in a 7-game series. The Detroit Pistons and New York Knicks are the only two real threats to the Celtics this season. If Boston is able to continue what they have, they could even pass the Pistons in the standings and steal home-court advantage from them. If Detroit loses to Miami on Sunday, the Celtics will remain just 2.5 games behind the East leaders.

This team faces two more big tests on the road next week against the San Antonio Spurs and Oklahoma City Thunder. If the Celtics manage to win one of those two games, you can consider it a mini road trip win for them. If Boston wins both of those games, their NBA Finals chances will skyrocket. The C’s are already the clear favorite to win the East at every sportsbook.

If you remain skeptical of this Celtics team, you may want to think again.

The Cleveland Cavaliers will face the Boston Celtics later in the week, and it will be a showdown between the two top teams in the Eastern Conference. The Celtics are on a roll this season and got even better than their last game with the return of Jayson Tatum. As for the Cavs, they have been working with some new pieces on their roster, and they have helped them over the past few weeks.

Donovan Mitchell had missed the last four games with a right groin strain and it was uncertain when he would return to the court. His injury report is still pending before the game against the Celtics, but it looks like he has a chance to be fit.

Here is Mitchell’s position before his game.

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Donovan Mitchell’s injury status vs. the Celtics

Mitchell is listed as probable against the Celtics, meaning it seems likely he will return from his absence. Kenny Atkinson said Mitchell was fully involved in the Cavs’ latest practice, and it looked like he was on his way back soon.

The Cavs probably wanted to be careful with Mitchell’s injury, especially since it was a soft tissue injury, but if he didn’t feel good, they wouldn’t put him back on the court.

Injuries have piled up for the Cavs at the moment, and that’s to their key players. James Harden has a fractured right thumb, but he has found a way to deal with it, and likely won’t notice it until his season is over. Keon Ellis also has a fracture in his finger and despite this he is playing.

Jarrett Allen suffered a knee injury during the week against the Detroit Pistons, but Atkinson says it is not a long-term issue.

The Boston Celtics are scheduled to face the Cleveland Cavaliers on Sunday at 1 pm EST. Although Jayson Tatum finally returned from his Achilles injury in the club’s 120-100 win over the Dallas Mavericks on Friday night, we’re taking a look at Boston’s latest injury report to see if Tatum is there.

Tatum, who just turned 28, is not on the latest injury report for the Celtics’ contest against the Cavaliers. However, Nikola Vucevic (finger fracture) has been ruled out, while Baylor Scheierman (thumb fracture) is listed as available. The full report also includes John Tonje out due to his G League two-way contract.

“Nikola Vucevic – Out: right ring finger; fracture.
Baylor Scheierman – Available: Left thumb; fracture
John Tonje – Out: G League – Two Ways”

That means Jayson Tatum is set to play his second game of the 2025-26 campaign. His first appearance for the Celtics this season was quite successful. He finished the game with 15 points, 12 rebounds and seven assists while shooting 37.5% from the floor and 37.5% from beyond the three-point line.

It was a solid performance for the nine-year veteran. There were moments when it seemed like he was still shaking off the rust, but overall, it was a strong performance for Jayson Tatum. With Boston firmly in the Eastern Conference mix, Tatum has plenty of time to get things ready for the playoffs.

The timing of his return is ideal for the Celtics. Especially if Tatum can record career averages of 23.5 points, 7.3 rebounds and 3.8 assists per contest. He will have a chance to get back to form on Sunday against the Cavaliers.

While Cleveland Cavaliers center Jarrett Allen may not have won Cade Cunningham’s NBA Player of the Month award for the Eastern Conference in February, his incredible 11-game performance cannot be ignored. He averaged 22.3 points, 11.5 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 1.3 blocks in less than 30 minutes per contest for the Cavs, with a 74.0% field goal percentage.

This led the entire NBA, and, as Eric Slater of ClutchPoints wrote, he was the only player in the league to average 20 and 10 on at least 50% shooting.

After the team’s last home game, a stunning 109–94 win over the New York Knicks a week earlier, Larry Nance Jr. drew attention to that dominance in Donovan Mitchell’s postgame interview. Before the real question came up, he asked the All-Star guard about the “God of Greats.”

“There’s Masked Kobe [Bryant]jersey-untucked bed [Irving],” Nance said. “Where does Black History Month Jarrett Allen come into play?”

“I mean, Black History Month JA is definitely a thing at this point,” Michelle responded, as Allen leaned in to listen. “Dr. [Anthony]. Let’s make it a thing.

As funny as that exchange was, the loud praise that Allen received in the locker-room was well-earned and appreciated.

Allen has been a strong player on the inside and his start to the month was described as a Hakeem Olajuwon-like performance against the Portland Trail Blazers. Allen scored a career-high 40 points with 17 boards, five assists and four blocks. It featured his face photoshopped onto the famous “100” photo of Wilt Chamberlain in celebration in the locker room.

This would ultimately be a precursor to what would come in February, which saw him record nine double-doubles in 11 opportunities. With Evan Mobley sidelined with a calf injury, Allen was playing well even before the Cavs rebuilt their roster with a franchise-altering trade for James Harden.

“He’s just caught this wave, this momentum. He’s playing out of his mind. I mean, both ends,” Atkinson said, noting his defensive rating of 84 against the Knicks. “He’s playing great basketball. Confidence. I think his usage increased a lot with Evan being out. I think it gave him confidence. He started taking some risks out there. And then, he always finishes in the paint, right? First in the league in field goal percentage last year. So he can do that.”

But since Harden adapted to alcohol and gold, the relationship has become just as natural. The 36-year-old’s pick and roll savvy, coupled with Allen’s timing and footwork, are a match made in heaven.

“Being out there, JA, I can say he’s a lot better than I thought he was in terms of being able to catch the ball, being able to finish around the rim with both hands,” Harden said. “He has a lot of touch around the rim, and I think that’s probably one of the most underrated parts of his game. So just trying to find ways to get him the ball and in positions where he can be successful, and the same thing with Eve and all of our big guys…

“… Just defensively, how active he is offensively, how he understands, when to roll to the basket, when to roll short, when to find the pocket, screening angles, different things like that. And he’s so athletic; he gets into a roll. It’s getting off screens or setting screens quicker, that’s something I’ve had to get used to. No disrespect to different players. [Ivica] Zubac is also really good in his own way, but Jarrett is like a speed roller, so I’m really going to have to get used to finding that speed.

Allen acknowledged that Harden’s arrival has only reinforced the positive play that has continued over the past month and a half.

“Just his patience,” Allen said. “He won’t force any shots. He won’t force any lobs all the time. He won’t try to force hero plays. He’ll try to pick apart the other team, just try to read their defense and try to make the right play.”

Mitchell said of Allen’s mentality with Harden, “Just aggressive, aggressive, vocal on both ends of the floor.” “He’s in the pick and roll. He’s on the boards. He’s getting the ball in the paint. Sometimes we feel like he’s surrounded by four guys and he’s still getting out there, finishing through contact. This is the most aggressive I’ve ever seen him. And that was before James. And now, you add James, and it’s like a whole ‘nother layer. He’s really being vocal, and we need that.”

It also helps his recovery from two separate, painful finger injuries suffered early in the season.

“I mean, he was really dealing with broken fingers,” Atkinson said. “He tried to play through it. And then, we made him sit out for a few weeks, right, and we paid for it [in the] Win-loss column, but we had to get it right. I think he is healthy, [it’s] That’s definitely a part of it.”

What Kenny Atkinson told Jarrett Allen to lock him in

And yet, none of these reasons are the primary reason he plays with an edge every night.

“Kenny challenged me,” Allen said. “Evan was out, Evan hurt his shin, he told me, came to me and said, ‘You’ve got to pick it up. You’ve got to make up for the loss of rim protection, the loss of offensive ability.’ And I took it to heart. I went out there and honestly just started having fun and not really caring about the mistakes I was going to make, and just started playing freely, and it’s working out for me.

“I always try to say I’m the perfect soldier. You tell me to do something, I’m blindly going to do it, whether I believe it or not. And it’s working.”

Mitchell raised his head and gazed at Allen with open ears in his last interview after the game.

“Hopefully, we’ll keep it going until March, right?”

Cunningham and the Pistons are in town for a rematch of a classic, wild overtime game between the two just four days ago.

Expectations are now set for Allen even with Mobley back, which means the Cavs will have to continue to find The Fro at lower levels.

The Cleveland Cavaliers face the Detroit Pistons on Tuesday night and Donovan Mitchell is once again at the center of the injury report. He has been officially listed with a right groin strain, putting the Cavaliers franchise star in focus as Cleveland looks to win back-to-back games and solidify its position in the Eastern Conference.

The Cavaliers enter the matchup at 38-24, No. 4 in the East. Meanwhile, the Pistons are the No. 1 seed in the conference and are aiming to extend a three-game winning streak after defeating the Cavaliers 122-119 on Feb. 27. With both teams striving for speed late in the season, Mitchell’s availability is big.

Mitchell continues to be Cleveland’s offensive engine whenever he is on the field. Through 55 games, he has averaged 28.5 points, 5.8 assists and 4.5 rebounds per contest, while shooting 48.3 percent from the field, 36.9 percent from three and 85.2 percent from the free-throw line. He also contributes 1.6 steals per game and puts consistent pressure on the opposing backcourt. His scoring gravity reshapes defensive coverages and opens up clean looks for teammates.

When Mitchell plays, the Cavaliers operate with pace and structure. Without him, shot creation becomes more committee-based, and late-game execution can tighten.

Donovan Mitchell’s injury status vs. Pistons

The Cavaliers’ injury report extends beyond Mitchell. Darius Brown and Riley Minix are out on G League two-way assignment. Max Strus is sidelined after having surgery on his left foot for a Jones fracture. Dean Wade is questionable with a right ankle sprain.

On the Pistons’ injury report, Isaac Jones and Wendell Moore Jr. are out on a two-way deal, while Bobby Klintman, Chaz Lanier and Tolu Smith are questionable while on G League assignment.

Still, Mitchell’s absence matters most. Detroit, sitting on top of the East, will see this as an opportunity to protect home court and continue building separation. Meanwhile, Cleveland will have to prove it can maintain its momentum without its leading scorer.

So when the question comes whether Donovan Mitchell is playing tonight against the Pistons, the answer is no. A right groin strain will keep him sidelined, forcing the Cavaliers to make adjustments as they pursue back-to-back wins against the East’s top team.

As Darius Garland made his debut for the Los Angeles Clippers in a 114-101 win over the Golden State Warriors on Monday night, the star spoke after an outing that was highly anticipated. With Garland coming off the bench for the Clippers in his debut, there is no denying the work he needs to do to refine himself after missing significant time.

In the win, Garland recorded 12 points on four of nine shooting from the field, two of seven from three-point range, to go with two assists and two rebounds, while committing five turnovers. Garland would say that his debut was focused on “adjusting” to his new surroundings.

“Just getting adjusted,” Garland said, according to The Athletic’s Law Murray. “Getting adjusted to L.A., getting to know the people. Getting to know the staff, everyone around the organization, and just trying to get back to me… Yeah, man, it’s definitely good to be out there with the people. Especially getting a win, my first win with the Clips. It’s a blessing.”

🆕 @athletic

Darius Garland came off the bench in a month-long Clippers debut. The Clippers were down by 17 and Garland’s first minutes were very bad

And then Garland started playing with Kawhi Leonard and Kris Dunn. Beginning of PG in GS inside DG 👉🏾 pic.twitter.com/0ncau2yjYu

– Law Murray 🕯️ (@LawMurrayTheNU) 3 March 2026

Darius Garland’s Clippers debut gets off to a great start

While a toe injury kept Garland from making his Clippers debut since he was traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers in a deal involving James Harden, he was rough to start, even drawing major attention from the Warriors on defense.

“Yeah, I wasn’t expecting to get blitzed after a month off,” Garland said, via Murray. “But Steve Kerr always had something up his sleeve.”

After playing more minutes, it was noticeable that the 26-year-old was becoming more comfortable, with Garland even saying he believed the “cobwebs” had been removed.

“That second half, that’s when it really started,” Garland said. “KD [Kris Dunn] Came inside, some big thefts took place. Jordan [Miller] …Yanic [Konan Niederhauser] Played your butt. and ‘whi [Kawhi Leonard] There’s definitely going to be a ‘whi’.

Garland will look to further improve as the remainder of Los Angeles’ season progresses, with the next game coming on Wednesday night against the Indiana Pacers, as the team currently holds a 29-31 record.

The Cleveland Cavaliers will face the Brooklyn Nets, and there is a possibility that they may get one of their key players back. James Harden has missed the last few games after being diagnosed with a fractured right thumb, but he is expected to return game-to-game. It doesn’t appear that Harden will have surgery, and it may be a matter of enduring the pain if he returns to the court.

Luckily for the Cavs, they’ll be playing the Nets, a team that hasn’t had much success this season. This could be a game in which they let Harden sit out so he can continue to recover.

Anyway, here’s Harden’s position for the game.

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Injury status of James Harden vs. Nets

Harden is listed as questionable against the Nets, which means he is likely to play.

The latest update on Harden wasn’t the best when thinking about a return soon, as head coach Kenny Atkinson shared that the guard was having difficulty dribbling.

“I know he was struggling a little bit with his dribbling this morning,” Atkinson said. “If you have difficulty dribbling and catching [it’s tough to play]. Jarrett Allen went through this early in the season. We tried to bring him back. He wanted to hurry, and then we had to go back and give him some time.

“I know James is different… We have to get feedback from James… There is no one stronger in the league. There is no one else available. No one wants to play more.”

If Harden is struggling trying to dribble, there is no way he can play. At this point, listing him as questionable is probably just putting opposing teams on edge so they don’t know whether they should prepare for him or not.

The Brooklyn Nets will be shorthanded against the Cleveland Cavaliers on Sunday in an attempt to snap a seven-game losing streak. Igor Demin was ruled out of the match due to left plantar fascia injury management. Nick Claxton is questionable for the Cavaliers matchup due to a sprained right thumb.

Damien missed most of the offseason due to a torn plantar fascia. However, he played in his second consecutive game after the All-Star break on Friday. The rookie guard had not played in a consecutive game in more than two months before the All-Star break.

After a promising start to his rookie campaign, Demin has recently seen a decline in production due to being moved to shooting guard. The 19-year-old is averaging 8.8 points, 3.1 rebounds and 3.0 assists on .360/.317/.789 shooting splits in 11 appearances in February.

Igor Demin, Nick Claxton land on Nets injury report ahead of Cavaliers matchup

Claxton has been on the injury report with a thumb soreness after playing 23 minutes during Friday’s 148-111 loss to the Boston Celtics. The veteran center continued to have one of the best offensive seasons of his career in February, averaging 14.2 points and 3.7 assists on 66.3 percent shooting. However, he has won nine consecutive games without a shutout, the longest streak of his seven-year career.

With Damin sidelined, rookie guard Ben Saraf could see extended minutes in Brooklyn’s rotation. The No. 26 pick rejoined the Nets during Friday’s loss after an extended stint in the G League.

If Claxton is unable to play, De’Ron Sharp will move into the Nets’ starting lineup at center. Sharp is averaging 8.5 points, 6.7 rebounds and 2.3 assists on 59.4 percent shooting in 18.6 minutes per game this season.

Detroit Pistons fans are excited about their team’s potential playoff success after Friday night’s win over the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Detroit is enjoying a strong campaign as one of the best teams in the entire league. They picked up an overtime win over Cleveland, which continues to hold its place in the East standings with back-to-back games.

Fans came in large numbers to react to the game and were positive towards a win, expecting a better performance. Here are some of their reactions.

One fan said, “Great win! Both teams advanced. The Cavs were missing Donovan Mitchell and a few others while our Pistons are still missing Isaiah Stewart.”

“I didn’t enjoy going to OT against a shorthanded Cavs team. But… at the same time we enjoyed the win even though we were shorthanded. Boys fight when it counts. And those who play hard get the wins. #DetroitBasketball,” another commented.

One commented, “Celebrate the wins, but hang on. Every dub is proof that opportunity came with preparation. Stack ’em up, stay humble and keep building the scoreboard, it only tells part of the story. The work continues.”

“What a comeback victory,” one replied.

One fan said, “The win came and JB benched LeVert for Sasser, I prayed for times like this.”

How did the Pistons play against the Cavaliers?

Pistons fans can expect more from their team after defeating the Cavaliers. Nonetheless, the playoff bar remains high for them.

Five players scored in double figures for Detroit in the win. Jalen Duren dominated with a performance of 33 points, 16 rebounds, three assists and three blocks. He shot 11 of 19 from the field and 11 of 15 from the free-throw line. Cade Cunningham finished second with 25 points and 10 rebounds, Ausner Thompson had 18 points and eight rebounds, Ronald Holland II put up 12 points and three rebounds, while Tobias Harris provided 11 points and six steals.

Detroit improved to a 44–14 record on the season and topped the Eastern Conference standings. They are 5.5 games up on the Boston Celtics and seven games up on the New York Knicks.

The Pistons look forward to their next matchup while on the road. They will face the Orlando Magic as tip-off takes place on March 1 at 6 PM ET.

At least from head coach Doc Rivers’ perspective, the Milwaukee Bucks are on a turn, and they’ve gone 7-3 so far in the calendar month of February. This uptick in form may offer a little hope that, perhaps, they can make a run for a late tournament playoff spot – just in time for Giannis Antetokounmpo’s eventual return from a calf injury.

On Wednesday night, the Bucks had a golden opportunity to build on their solid performance as they faced a Cleveland Cavaliers team that rested Donovan Mitchell, Evan Mobley and James Harden in the first night of a back-to-back set. And while the Cavs remain a dangerous team even without those three, the Bucks are fighting an uphill battle, with Kevin Porter Jr. doing everything he can to spark his team.

With the Bucks still leading in the third quarter, Porter got a step on a guy with the same surname as Craig Porter Jr., causing the Cavs defense to go into scramble mode. With Porter in over his head, it was too late for Jarrett Allen to try to compete brutal sting From the Bucks guard, who fired up the crowd at Fiserv Forum.

Kevin Porter Jr. poster on Mister The Lights Too Bright pic.twitter.com/SVoVEhG7kw

– Wondering Basketball (@WonderingBBall) 26 February 2026

kevin porter jr 😤

climbed the stairs
over jarrett allen

No fear. pic.twitter.com/cXAt52Wuhv

– Attention Prop (@Dfs4 Everyone) 26 February 2026

Bucks continue to punch up weight class amid Giannis injury

This is the Bucks second night of a back-to-back, which wasn’t too obvious considering how high Porter jumped over Allen for that poster. Last night, Milwaukee swept the Miami Heat, using an 11-0 run at the end of the game to blow away the Eastern Conference team that is currently eighth in the standings.

Now, the Bucks are currently facing off with the Cavs, which is a testament to their resiliency and excellent conditioning levels. At the time of writing, the game is tied, and anything can still happen in the final few minutes.

Once Evan Mobley put together an All-NBA and Defensive Player of the Year season for the Cleveland Cavaliers, the standard was set. Teammates, coaches, fans and the media were talking about the seven-foot-tall player all summer long and tossing his name into MVP conversations without hesitation. So, in turn, any lack of meeting those expectations is considered a failure by some, and perhaps, based on how steadfast the praise was at last year’s All-Star Game and Mobley’s own words, that’s justified.

Now that Darius Garland is in Los Angeles, it appears the microscope has zoomed in a lot on the 24-year-old forward. People crank that dial when the Cavs lose, and especially on national television.

Although he had a catch-and-drive dunk and a jump hook, Mobley missed a few threes in the final 3:20 of the game when his team was still within striking distance. And despite holding Chet Holmgren to an average scoring game, OKC’s power forward grabbed 15 rebounds compared to Cleveland’s two. They weren’t face-to-face every minute of the game, but that’s a worrying discrepancy.

The Oklahoma City Thunder had all 13 offensive rebounds from Sunday.

Where do you think the fault lies? pic.twitter.com/eXb19FU7GD

-RealCavsFans.com (@realcavsfans) 23 February 2026

Mobley deserves criticism for that part of the contest. Even if he’s out of position on most Cavs possessions due to the switch-heavy scheme defensively, recording two total rebounds at that size is absolutely unacceptable. Track the ball and catch it. When you have it in your hand, be strong with it, hold it high, and don’t let the opponent take it away from you.

Should he really be to blame for most of the Thunder’s extra chances? No, there were three examples, maybe fourWhere Mobley could have done a better job on the defensive glass was unrelated to the back-iron misses that found OKC’s perimeter players away from the paint.

• At 7:26 of the second quarter, he hung up on Jaylin Williams to make sure he didn’t miss a three; However, when Jared McCann’s floater went haywire, he waited too long to mingle with his teammates, who should have done so themselves due to the 3-on-2 advantage.
• Similarly, at 9:19 of the fourth, Mobley did not want to let a red-hot Cason Wallace get a free look in the left corner, so he tried to set up a contest time on Holmgren through the middle while driving; This forced a miss that rolled off the rim, but neither he nor Donovan Mitchell came up with it.
• Although with a strong position, Mobley was outclassed by Hartenstein at the 2:30 mark of the final frame, allowing Lou Dort to push him back to the top of the floor.

Evan Mobley’s frequently changing Cavs responsibilities

Let’s step away from the rebounding thing for just a minute and turn to Mobley’s extensive offensive game. The Cavs put the ball in his hands early in a point-forward type role in the first few weeks of the year. It was experimental because that’s what you do in the regular season. He was bringing it up and getting started, and when he didn’t have it, he was pulling up the floor. It was more dribble drives, separation, self-composition and kicking out than off-ball work.

Then, as the campaign progressed, Cleveland wanted to put Mobley in a better position to succeed with less management, as in 2024–25. That meant using him as a mid-floor hub, putting him in screens-and-slips, and getting him close to the bucket. Mobley burst onto the scene in early December and recorded four consecutive double-double performances before going down with a left calf injury. He was sidelined for five short games, then returned at Christmas.

After finding his footing again, Mobley enjoyed a solid month of January, including his best game of the season. He scored 29 points, 13 rebounds, 7 assists and 4 blocks in 35 minutes against the Sacramento Kings. He did not turn it over even once and walked out of the field after scoring 13 runs out of 24. Unfortunately, after another solid performance in Game 2 of the home-and-home series with the Orlando Magic, Mobley experienced more pain in the same calf. He missed the entire season through January 28 during the NBA All-Star break.

Returning to a very different team, James Harden is now their point guard, which changes the calculus for what Mobley needs to do. At best, on this team, he is the third scoring option. It was different a few months ago, so there needs to be an adjustment on his (and Harden’s) part.

Jarrett Allen is already the quintessential pick-and-roll partner for Harden, so where does that leave Mobley? Well, for one, Cleveland needs to get him into the dunker spot right this very moment. He should have plenty of opportunities to capitalize on the seriousness he possesses as both a ball-handler and roller. In particular, alley-oops from Harden or Allen should be common.

Cavs head coach Kenny Atkinson noted that Mobley’s popping could also be used as a weapon. They sure as heck aren’t shooting the three well right now, which may be due to a lack of lift from the shin, but he’s still a confidently capable mid-range shooter. If opportunities arise, he will have to take them. Atkinson also sees opportunities to quickly find mismatches at small forwards and guards in double-big lineups. When that happens, Harden can be counted on to feed him.

We’ll also see Mobley without Harden and Allen on the floor with Mitchell. The staggering choice allows for optionality in terms of style of play. Both of them had a lot of success last year and a good chemistry has been established between them, which will give both of them a chance to be as successful as ever. Adding Schroder to that mix also helps as his downhill nature forces defenses to stop the ball.

painting the whole picture

Many people are casually leaving out Mobley’s defensive skills when evaluating his game. Being a top-tier tackler who shuts down driving lanes, runs to the corners to compete, and replaces all shots in a single possession doesn’t make a highlight reel unless you’re a coach. It’s a tough business to be in, as in that department, Mobley is one of them. Find another player his size who covers as much ground, switches seamlessly, and recovers just like him.

Sadly, making lots of money also comes with noise. Mobley has had a poor offensive season, and it shows in his season-long production numbers. Does this mean that he has performed well as a basketball player? no way. He will turn 25 in mid-June. Given Cleveland’s push and pull with his offensive responsibilities, a troublesome calf that kept him out twice, and readjusting to life with a new floor general, it’s understandable that Mobley doesn’t have everything figured out at this point.

However, the Cavs have exaggerated the timeline. He was originally crowned after an undefeated extension of the trade-deadline. Garland, his old core four two-man-game partner, has moved to the West Coast. The Giants are in the building now, hardening the locker room significantly so the team can really prepare for the playoffs.

Expectations are sky-high for this fresh-wine-and-gold group, so anything less than greatness will receive a scathing response, whether that’s warranted long-term or a momentary reaction in the heat of battle. That means Mobley will have to quickly adapt to what is being asked of him and take on a role that has once again changed.

Whether that’s fair or not, that’s just the reality of the situation.

OKLAHOMA CITY – Without All-Stars Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Williams, the Oklahoma City Thunder snapped the Cleveland Cavs’ seven-game winning streak. The Thunder guards really understood their defensive duties against All-Star Donovan Mitchell, James Harden and a completely healthy Cavs team. Oklahoma City led 28–5 in the first quarter, a 23-point deficit that Cleveland erased in the second half.

However, the Thunder’s two-point deficit was short-lived as its strong defense continued to make stops, including Isaiah Joe’s career-high five steals and game-high 22 points in Sunday’s 121–113 win. who addressed him exceptional performance After the Thunder’s win on Sunday.

“At the end of the day, I stay true to my game and let it come to me,” Joe said. “Being lower body, it allows for more action. Being able to be more aggressive. A teammate asks a little more of you, and whoever is out there just answers the call. So, I think we all take a little more pride.”

Isaiah Joe on his elite shooting and 5 steals: “At the end of the day, I stay true to my game. With the body being healthy, it allows for more action. Being able to be more aggressive…

Everyone there is answering the call right now. “We all feel a little more pride.” pic.twitter.com/durXXD1WuJ

-Joshua Peacock (@Joe_Sway) 22 February 2026

Joe’s 22 points, including six threes, gave the Thunder seven players in double figures. Cason Wallace (20 points, 10 assists), who finished with three steals, Chet Holmgren (17 points, 15 rebounds), who recorded a double-double, and Isaiah Hartenstein, who added 13 points and seven rebounds.

Isaiah Joe’s defense shines in Thunder vs. Cavs

While Isaiah Joe continued his hot shooting streak, scoring at least two threes in 11 of his last dozen games, he also did his part defending the Cavs’ leading scoring tandem in Donovan Mitchell and James Harden. Against a healthy Cavs team, the Thunder won without All-Star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and their leading scorer and All-Defensive forward Jalen Williams.

Without Ajay Mitchell and Alex Caruso, two Thunder guards who make their presence felt on both ends of the floor, Joe Contribution went a long way. Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault put Joe’s defense against the Cavs in perspective during his postgame media availability.

“With Harden and Mitchell, they’re heavy on looking for matchups, and they’re an experienced team that’s been well-coached. If you put a matchup out there that they like, they’ll have ways to try to get to it,” Daigneault said. “So, you have to be very, very cautious and disciplined in how you handle it. I thought their coverage tonight — they tried to go to him, they tried to go to anybody to get Dort and Cason away from those guys.

“The coverages were very tight. The coverages behind him were really good. That’s a part of him, but that’s who he is. He’s light. He’s not the biggest, strongest guy, but he performs at a high level. He’s fearless. He’s physical. And he plays hard. He plays hard all his minutes. So, you can knock him out in a game like this.”

Mark Daigneault on Isaiah Joe making defensive moves to guard James Harden and Donovan Mitchell pic.twitter.com/ZVazYlapJG

-Joshua Peacock (@Joe_Sway) 22 February 2026

The Thunder have won four of their last five games without Gilgeous-Alexander, Williams and Mitchell.

The Cleveland Cavaliers’ seven-game winning streak ended on Sunday, as the shorthanded Oklahoma City Thunder defeated the NBA’s hottest team with a 121-113 victory on their home floor. It’s the Cavs’ first loss since Jan. 30, before they acquired James Harden, Keon Ellis and Dennis Schroder to join Donovan Mitchell, Kenny Atkinson and company at the trade deadline. After falling into a 28–5 hole in the opening seven minutes due to a 10-turnover start, Cleveland battled back.

“The recovery was great,” Harden said after the game. “Don’t turn the ball over, get shots at the rim, and then defensively, step back, stay in front of your man, contest shots. We’re pretty good. It’s just us doing that every night. It’s a different team. Even without Shai [Gilgeous-Alexander]without j-dub [Jalen Williams]They’re still obviously a very good defensive team.

Sam Merrill said, “Probably the best defense this league has seen in a while.” “Even with some of their leading scorers out, they still have a lot of good defensive players. You just get avalanches to start the game; that’s what happened last year. Obviously, we responded a lot better this time. Gotta figure out the turnovers. But that’s just not the way they defend. Even without SGA and Jalen Williams, they really move the ball. They cut, they pass. Obviously, they Shot the ball really well today.”

Led by Cason Wallace, Isaiah Joe and Jaylin Williams, the Thunder made 14 of 22 three-ball attempts in the first half. The Cavs got into a better rhythm in the second quarter and hung on well enough to wreak havoc with the defensive pressure led by Ellis and Schroder, and the halftime margin was only nine. Merrill felt the Cavs made simple plays to counter the home team’s early punches.

“I think we got a little rushed to start. The margin probably wasn’t good to start with,” Merrill said. “You still want to play with speed, obviously, but doing that by getting into the right spots and not playing too fast, I think, has helped.”

Cleveland struggled to take the lead at times midway through the third quarter, yet OKC could not hold on.

Donovan Mitchell said, “Missed some easy looks, had some key defensive rebounds that we didn’t get. I’m not really worried about that start.” “The biggest thing is that once we got to the point where it was 67-67, for me it was, ‘Okay, how do we fix it from there?'”

“I felt like we had some bad offensive possessions that allowed them to get transition buckets,” Cavs head coach Kenny Atkinson said. “The quality of our shot wasn’t very good. I probably blame the offense more than the defense for that. With this team, you can’t give them possession, whether it’s turnovers or bad shots. They’re No. 1 in the league in transition efficiency. They cause turnovers, which is the equivalent of layups. And if you take bad shots, they go down, and they score.”

Although Atkinson didn’t like some of those possessions in the latter half of the game, Cleveland still shot 48.3% from the field and outrebounded the Thunder in the paint 56-40 overall. The problem is that OKC scored a total of 31 points on 17 possessions in the opener. The Cavs had 20 points each from Mitchell, Merrill and Harden, but the big players were not involved against the Thunder frontcourt, possibly due to the threat of their passing-lane defense.

The Cavs’ recurring problem comes at the wrong time.

Very often, especially in the final period, a familiar issue rears its head.

“I felt like they got some important offensive rebounds when we got stops,” Atkinson said. “We’ve got to clean it up. For me, that’s our Achilles heel right now, defensive rebounding. They got some big ones at the end. Best team in the league, extra possessions. It really hurts you.”

“I think we just have to work on rebounding,” Mitchell said. “That’s been an ongoing theme. We’ve got to bounce back and give ourselves a chance to get out there and get there. Once we get back [from the deficit]We were just giving them extra opportunities. Some people took shots, credit goes to them, it is not necessary that they always take shots. But at the same time, it’s easier to make threes when you don’t get the rebound. These are the things I focus on. We’ll see it on film and get better.”

If you look at the stat sheet, the battle of the boards was also at 44 copies. However, the difference between Chet Holmgren’s 15 and Evan Mobley’s 2 sticks like a sore thumb compared to the Jarrett Allen-Isaiah Hartenstein matchup that was in favor of the wine and gold (13-7).

These were the times OKC kept it alive or the key points in the game where the Cavs needed to come up with the basketball that hurt them. Gang rebounding needed to improve in those situations, especially when Mobley and Allen were switching near the perimeter.

“We missed some open looks, which happens, but we couldn’t get the boards,” Mitchell said. “Hertenstein, I think we were up one or the game was tied, and he scored six straight points, two of them off Hartenstein’s floaters. Little things like that. Or, we make a great possession play, the ball is on the floor, JA gets in the back door because we’re trying to scramble.

“It’s little things like that on top of rebounding. When you’re against a team like that, every little thing matters a lot. We’re not sitting here with our heads down. We’ve got things we can clean up, and we’ll figure it out and get better.”

After all, there’s no need to point any fingers after the new-look version of Cleveland loses its first game.

“We did a lot of positive things,” Mitchell said. “We’re still figuring things out as a group. Even in that fourth quarter, figuring out, ‘Okay, is it me or is Eve coming to set the screen? Is it JA? Is it Sam? Sam is Roller, what are you doing?’ There are a lot of things to figure out. At the end of the day, we won’t turn our heads over this. This is a part of it. “We weren’t going to go 29-0, but we still have stuff to clean up and fix.”

“Listen, it’s no excuse, but it’s a tough schedule: 3-in-4, afternoon games,” Atkinson said. “On the road, it makes it a little different. It is what it is, and we have to overcome those tough schedule games. I’m proud of the way the guys battled and gave us a chance.”

Although it may be lacking now, it could eventually pay off if Cleveland uses it correctly.

“This is our sixth game together,” Harden said. “I think it’s bigger than them. I think it’s on us every night, no matter who we’re playing. It’s a lot of things we’re still figuring out — rotations, lineups, all that stuff. Once we get to that and figure out how we’re playing and the lineups and all that, we’ll be a lot better. But give them credit, they played a great game today and we still have some work to do.”

“The games and the reps. You look at this team. They’ve had postseason failures a few years and they’re finally over the hump. It all takes time, so these games are very valuable. We’ve got to cherish them like practice in games because it’s our sixth game. Lesson learned. Watch film, get better, and be ready for the next game.”

OKLAHOMA CITY – Without three of their top four scorers, the Oklahoma City Thunder defeated Donovan Mitchell, James Harden and the Cleveland Cavs – 121-113 – at Paycom Center on Sunday. The defending champions took a 28-5 lead in the opening frame. Without the Thunder’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Williams, the starters took advantage of defensive stops and elite shooting as Oklahoma City drained eight of its 21 threes in the first quarter.

In regards to who would guard Mitchell and Harden, Thunder coach Mark Daigneault revealed that the defensive assignment of Lou Dort over Mitchell won a 6–5 vote among his coaching staff. Cason Wallace spent most of the game facing Harden. Mitchell scored 20 points, but it took him nearly 20 attempts (9 of 19) to get there, as he was 0 of 6 from deep.

Harden scored 20 points on 8-of-14 shooting, nine assists and five rebounds. Wallace finished with 20 points with a career-high 10 assists and recorded his first double-double and three steals. Isaiah Joe’s 22 points led seven Thunder players into double figures, including Dort (12 points, two steals) and Oklahoma City’s entire starting lineup.

The defending champions’ strong defense forced 17 Cavs turnovers, which the Thunder converted into 31 points en route to an eight-point victory.

Cason Wallace shows off his signature performance in Thunder’s win

Thunder guard Cason Wallace understands the assignment ahead of Sunday’s matchup against the Cavs. Before facing one of the league’s highest scoring backcourts in Donovan Mitchell and James Harden. And while the Thunder’s newest guards in Jared McCann and Nicola Topic have gotten acclimated to their new surroundings, Wallace has helped fill the void left after losing All-Stars Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams, Ajay Mitchell and Alex Caruso.

After the game, Wallace spoke to the media On his outlook ahead of the Thunder’s matinee matchup against the Cavs.

“I come into the game knowing that I have a high-level opponent that I have to guard against, you know, compete for minutes with him,” Wallace said. “First I had to slow him down. Then, offensively, we’ve got a lot of guys that are good at making plays. So, I can make some plays myself on offense, but those guys help me a lot on that end.”

Cason Wallace on the Thunder’s offense and OKC’s defense against the Cavs’ Mitchell and Harden: “Felt like we came in warmed up, had a little bit of momentum at the beginning of the game… I’ve got to slow it down first.

Then, offensively, we’ve got a lot of guys who are good at making plays.” pic.twitter.com/U65bg0x2bR

-Joshua Peacock (@Joe_Sway) 22 February 2026

The Thunder will travel to face the Raptors on Tuesday.

The Oklahoma City Thunder host the Cleveland Cavaliers on Sunday afternoon. And if the official injury report is anything to go by, the defending champions will go into this match with a significantly reduced staff.

Alex Caruso joins franchise cornerstone Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and forward Jalen Williams as all three are not expected to play, according to the official injury report. Caruso has been officially ruled out due to a sprained left ankle suffered during Oklahoma City’s 105-86 win over the Brooklyn Nets on Friday.

MVP contender Gilgeous-Alexander has been sidelined with an abdominal strain while Williams is out with a strained right hamstring. However, this is not the end of the injury problems for the Thunder, with Ajay Mitchell and Thomas Sorber also unavailable for this game.

The Thunder enter this game as the clear favorites with a record of 43–14. However, they face a team that is most expected to emerge as title contenders, especially after the acquisition of James Harden, who has performed strongly on the floor. Apart from the absences, that means OKC could have a lot going on against the Cavs.

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Injury status of Alex Caruso, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Williams vs. Cavaliers

Alex Caruso missed Oklahoma City’s 105-86 win over Brooklyn with an injury, and the Thunder will take a cautious approach given his importance. Caruso continues to be one of Oklahoma City’s most destructive perimeter defenders and has the potential to perform well in the postseason.

This injury becomes even more damaging, as Oklahoma City is already without two of its primary offensive creators. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Williams represent a major part of their offensive threat, which puts more pressure on players like Chet Holmgren and Isaiah Hartenstein.

thunderbolt injury report

Outside:

Alex Caruso: left ankle sprain

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander: Abdominal strain

Jalen Williams: right hamstring strain

Ajay Mitchell: Abdominal strain/sprain in left ankle

Thomas Sorber: Perfect ACL Surgical Recovery

cavaliers injury report

Outside:

Max Straus: Jones fracture surgery of left leg

Riley Minix: G League Two-Way

Tristan Enaruna: G League Two-Way

Kon Knuppel made a splash with his performance in the Charlotte Hornets’ matchup with the Cleveland Cavaliers on Friday night.

Knueppel is halfway through his rookie year in the NBA with the Hornets. He has made remarkable progress as one of the best-performing newcomers from the 2025 draft class, becoming a contender for Rookie of the Year.

The star rookie proved himself with another excellent performance against Cleveland. In 37 minutes of action, Knueppel had a stat line of 33 points, six rebounds, two assists and one steal. He made 11 of 20 shots from the field, including 7 of 15 from beyond the arc and 4 of 5 from the free-throw line.

Kon Knuppel in the Hornets’ loss to the Cavs tonight 🐝

33 points 11-of-20 FG
6 rebounds 7-of-15 3pts
0 turnover pic.twitter.com/hhvqBDhVu3

– ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) 21 February 2026

It didn’t take long for fans to react to her performance, expressing their amazement at the newbie’s star talent. Here are some of their reactions.

One fan said, “Kon Nuppel kid is gonna be a problem. So good 💫.”

“This is a big night for Kon Knueppel – 33 points on 11/20 shooting and 7/15 from three is excellent efficiency – especially in 37 minutes. This kind of perimeter shooting shows confidence and ability to make serious shots,” another commented.

One commented, “Kon Knueppel dropped 33 points on 7 of 15 from three in the same night Donovan Mitchell scored 32 and the Cavs are showing they have a lot of ways to beat you. Knueppel is no longer a rookie, he’s a weapon.”

“33 in 37 minutes…that’s the real production 🔥,” one replied.

One fan said, “No need for that kind of “adjustment” from day one. It would be a travesty if he wasn’t rotten.”

Kon Nueppel, how the Hornets played against the Cavaliers

Despite notable efforts from Kon Knueppel, it was not enough as the Hornets lost to the Cavaliers 118–113.

Five players scored in double figures for Charlotte in the loss, including Knueppel. LaMelo Ball was next with 18 points and six assists, Brandon Miller had 18 points and four assists, Ryan Kalkbrenner added 12 points and 13 rebounds, while Josh Green added 11 points and two assists.

Charlotte finished the season with a 26–31 record and 10th place in the Eastern Conference standings. They are above the Milwaukee Bucks and Chicago Bulls, while trailing the Atlanta Hawks and Miami Heat.

The Hornets will look to bounce back in their next match while on the road. They will face the Washington Wizards on February 22, tip-off at 6 PM ET.

The Cleveland Cavaliers will take on the Charlotte Hornets on Friday night on the second night of a back-to-back after a blowout win over the Brooklyn Nets. Evan Mobley has been ruled out on the injury report, while Naquan Tomlin is listed as probable. The Hornets will be without several key players.

Here’s everything we know about the game situation for Evan Mobley vs. the Hornets.

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Evan Mobley’s injury status vs. Hornets

When it comes to the question of whether Evan Mobley is playing tonight against the Hornets, the answer is no.

In his first game after suffering a second left calf injury, Mobley produced 10 points, nine rebounds, two assists and one block in 19 minutes of action. This was the first game he played with Cleveland’s new players. Cavs head coach Kenny Atkinson thought he was showing signs of rust in his opener on Thursday, then he found out.

Atkinson said, “I thought his second term was better, a little more improvement.” “The defense was better, but you know how it is. He’s obviously on a minutes restriction. So it wasn’t easy for him to get into the flow.”

“It was nice to get back out there and play with some new guys, build relationships with them, grow that relationship,” Mobley said. “I think it’s a good first game… I think we have a great team. A lot of new guys coming in, a whole new team, but I think everybody is performing very well. Everybody is performing very well. Dennis [Schroder]How can he get down the slope, Keon [Ellis]His defense, and James Harden, obviously. I love our pieces.

Naquan Tomlin is likely headed to the Cavs after missing the Brooklyn game.

Charlotte’s Miles Bridges and Moussa Diabate are still serving suspensions for their roles in the brawl with the Detroit Pistons.

The Hornets are still waiting to see Coby White make his debut for the team after his acquisition from the Chicago Bulls as he deals with a left calf strain. Charlotte will also be without veteran Grant Williams and rookie Liam McNally.

Cavs injury report

Naquan Tomlin: Potential (pain in left calf)

Evan Mobley: Out (Left Calf Injury Management)

Max Strus: Out (left leg surgery)

Riley Minix: Out (Two-Way G League Assignment)

hornet injury report

Miles Bridge: Outside (league suspension)

Moussa Diabate: Out (league suspension)

Coby White: Out (left calf strain)

Grant Williams: Out (right knee injury management)

Liam McNally: Out (sprained left ankle)

As Los Angeles Clippers newcomer Darius Garland struggled with a toe injury, he was traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers at the deadline in a deal that also included star James Harden. While fans wait for Garland’s debut in a Clippers uniform, he’ll talk about why this happened to him and what his injuries probably had to do with it.

Garland’s name was in the flood of rumors for a trade to the Cavaliers at the deadline, including the winner of the Los Angeles sweepstakes. Speaking with Endscape, Garland would speak on how a trade away from Cleveland was inevitable and that the current toe injury “was a factor in it.”

“It was going to happen at any time, in any situation [trade] deadline or this summer. [My agent] Rich [Paul] I had that conversation with him last summer,” Garland said. “They didn’t know if I was going to be healthy for this season, which I will be. But he thought James had something I didn’t, I believe. He still has playoff experience and All-Star numbers today, even though he wasn’t an All-Star this year. But yes, they want to win right now. He also has a group. And I guess I wasn’t really part of the plan.

Darius Garland calls the Clippers a “really good situation”

With Garland expected to better compete for the Clippers this season and beyond, there is no denying his talent as a star point guard in the NBA. Garland has not played a game with the Cavaliers since January 14, as he explains how excited he is to be with Los Angeles, calling it a “really good situation.”

“But now, I’m in a really good position here. I have the ball in my hands, where I can do a little more. I have another superstar. [Leonard] Next to me. I might as well go get it,” Garland said.

Garland wants to return soon and help the Clippers improve as the team’s record is 27-28, which is ninth in the West.

In five games with his new team, Cleveland Cavaliers guard Dennis Schroder is undefeated in wine and gold. In an exclusive postgame interview with ClutchPoints following the Cavs’ blowout 112-84 win over the Brooklyn Nets, Schroder shared that he’s not surprised by how quickly the group has adjusted to him, as well as fellow newcomers Keon Ellis and James Harden.

“They did their job first,” Schroder told ClutchPoints. “We’ve just tried to be included, we’ve just tried to make sure that we’re really, In fact Locked into every single game. It doesn’t matter who we play; We don’t shy away from opportunities, we shy away from good teams. Just playing my kind of basketball and trying to improve every day. I think it’s working.

“We just want to be at our peak in April. I think that’s where it matters most, and there are some steps we have to take. We have to do it every day. Everybody has to buy into it, and that’s what makes it so special right now that we’re playing at such a high level.”

Cavs All-Star guard Donovan Mitchell noticed the new mentality in the building at the team’s first practice after the All-Star break. Harden, Schroder and Ellis have helped people understand the task.

“When you bring those guys in, they bring the level of professionalism that they’ve had in the league,” Mitchell said. “That’s what I’ve been doing since I’ve been in the league, and it’s kind of like that. Just understanding, ‘Hey, we’re getting 5-in-7. Yeah, we’re new and all that, but we also come in there and say, ‘Hey, it’s time to go.'”

“I think we handled it professionally,” Cavs head coach Kenny Atkinson said. “I know people work; normally, it takes three, four, five days off. It’s more… I called it a working vacation. We need to keep our bodies moving, make sure we go to the gym. I think most guys have done that. It’s part of a professional approach. But at the same time, man, we’ve got to do something here, and we finally got a sprint here. So it’s a good start, good first game.”

Since arriving in the trade with Ellis from the Sacramento Kings, Schroder has exerted his will defensively and shown his aggressiveness going downhill. Atkinson likes the contrast from the bench versus the big starting five. The 13-year veteran’s biggest impact doesn’t come in the stat sheet for this particular group or at this point in his career; it’s all about How He plays (and so does Alice) – stubborn, relentless and with an edge.

“I don’t know how many distractions there were between those guys tonight,” Atkinson said. “Keion, I’m not sure I’ve seen it in the league. Like, he can get in the passing lane; he had three blocks tonight. I knew it was part of his statistical profile, but it’s impressive to see it live. We threw Dennis in there and Sam [Merrill] And Keon, [and] It’s almost like a different look defensively with our speed and aggression. So, I’m really excited about that second unit because of those guys.

“Dennis, he just picks up the ball,” said Evan Mobley, playing in his first game since Jan. 26. “I think the smaller guard can move guys around and get the offense going later in the shot clock. And Keon, I mean, he’s all over the place. Today, he got a corner-three block; you don’t see that much. His offense, he dunked like two guys. He got a block and then saved it over the guy. He just does a lot of little things that you don’t really see.”

As great as it feels to see this kind of success, there is always room for improvement and the Cavs only have so many days of practice in the second half of the season. What does it take for Cleveland to maintain the momentum it has built after rearranging its roster?

“Enjoying it,” Schroder told ClutchPoints. “Enjoy every single game, every single practice, making sure the chemistry is right. We enjoy each other. I think that’s the most important, because if you have great chemistry on and off the court, it goes a long way.”

“We have a lot of talent with this group and high-character guys, I’m not really worried about the basketball. Coming together as a group and as a unit, I think it will make a big, big difference — especially in the playoffs when we go through tough times, and it’s really physical, and part of the mentality of it. I think when we figure that out, we’ll be really good.”

Dennis Schroder and Jordi Fernandez’s appreciation for each other is mutual

After spending just 23 games together in Brooklyn and moving up to the international level, Nets head coach Jordi Fernandez is well aware of Schröder’s expertise.

“Dennis is the ultimate professional,” Fernandez told ClutchPoints in his pregame press conference. “We know he’s wearing different jerseys, but the reality is teams want him. Teams want him to win. Wherever he goes, he’s going to be a part of the majority of the success. I think that’s very important.

“Not only in the NBA, but also with the German national team, and I have the opportunity to [coach] against him. When I had great respect for him [coached] Against him, and even more respect because I got the chance to train him. And not just the player, but also the individual and his family. I think the Cavs are very fortunate to have him.”

In 2024, before the Golden State Warriors traded for him, he averaged 18.4 points, 6.6 assists, 3.0 rebounds and 1.1 steals on .452/387/.889 shooting splits in less than 34 minutes per game. Schröder appreciates the short time he spent with Fernandez.

“Just one person who understands what I bring to the table,” Schroder told ClutchPoints. “He made me feel comfortable. It’s one thing to tell, but it’s one thing to really make sure the players know that.” [have] Having the confidence to actually play and be comfortable in your position counts for a lot. He did this for me.

“I played one of my best seasons there, half a season, whatever you want to call it. But I really liked him as a coach. Also a European guy, we’ve seen FIBA, and we’ve seen the NBA side, and it’s been great.”

The Brooklyn Nets looked like a team still on vacation during their first game after the All-Star break. Jordi Fernandez’s team sleepwalked through a 112-84 loss to the streaking Cleveland Cavaliers on Thursday to start the second half of the season.

This game marked the Nets’ NBA-leading eighth wire-to-wire loss of the season. Brooklyn trails by 43 points.

“It was everything. The physicality, the intensity, all those things we weren’t matching up to,” Fernandez said. “Their physicality, their intensity was exactly what a winning team should be. We weren’t even close.”

With starting center Nick Claxton sidelined, the Nets had no answer for the Cavaliers on both ends during the lopsided loss. He shot 30 of 87 (34.5 percent) from the field and 14 of 49 (28.6 percent) from three.

Brooklyn offered little resistance defensively as the Cavs shot 44-of-86 (51.2 percent), with seven players reaching double figures.

Nets dominate Cavs during blowout loss, tipping off tank race

Brooklyn’s lack of engagement was evident from the opening tip. After some miscommunication on their first two possessions, Fernandez called a timeout 40 seconds into the game in an attempt to wake up his team. He had little success in doing so.

“It was two mistakes that were completely controllable, and it tells me about the readiness of our players. It was a lack of effort and readiness, and I’m not going to let it fly. And we didn’t wake up,” Fernandez said. “We know we are better, our standards are higher than this. Now we have to go to the next level, and hold everyone accountable, including me, and go and fight better [on Friday in Oklahoma City]”

Michael Porter Jr. led the Nets with 14 points, five rebounds and two assists on 5 of 13 shooting. Ochai Agbaji added 13 points on 5-of-5 shooting off the bench during his second game with Brooklyn. Danny Wolf scored 11 points and seven assists on 4-of-12 shooting, while Egor Demin had 10 points on 3-of-8 shooting.

Donovan Mitchell scored a game-high 17 points on 7-of-12 shooting for Cleveland, while James Harden added 16 points and nine assists on 6-of-8 shooting.

The loss brings a ray of hope for the Nets, who are tied with the Washington Wizards for fourth place in the draft lottery standings. Brooklyn is tied in the win column and twice behind the Indiana Pacers and New Orleans Pelicans in the loss column, who are in second place.

Fernandez’s team will be back in action on Friday during a road matchup with the Oklahoma City Thunder.

As speculation continues to heat up regarding LeBron James and his future with the Los Angeles Lakers, a league insider has openly embraced the idea of ​​a return to the Cleveland Cavaliers.

On the latest episode of Clutch Scoops, ClutchPoints NBA insider Brett Siegel said he believes James is leaving Southern California for a third stint in Cleveland this summer.

Siegel said, “Everyone around the league, even at the trade deadline, felt his time with the Lakers was over and it looked like he was going back to Cleveland.” “And that’s been the perception since that road game in Cleveland.”

Siegel pointed to James’ deep ties to the city as a driving factor behind the growing trust.

“We know how much that city means to him. It’s where he’s from, it’s where he still has family and he still does a lot for that community even though he lives across the country,” Siegel said. “So I think for Year 24, at this point, I would be shocked if he doesn’t go back to Cleveland. I just see him taking a discount to do that. Whether it’s a minimum deal, whether they clear cap space to give him something else. I don’t see anyway, A, he returns to the Lakers and B, why he would want to finish his career with a new team.”

. @TomerAzarly And @BrettSiegelNBA Live to talk NBA All-Stars, tanking problems + some early NBA offseason intel! https://t.co/duIKN4TFxL

– ClutchPoints (@clutchpoints) 19 February 2026

Cavaliers cap outlook, contenders potentially fuel discussion of LeBron James’ Lakers exit

Siegel said a potential Cavaliers roster that could include James as well as James Harden, Donovan Mitchell and Evan Mobley could immediately position Cleveland as a contender in the Eastern Conference.

ESPN’s Brian Windhorst reported on Wednesday that the Cavaliers will only be able to offer James a veteran’s minimum contract under current cap constraints.

James, 41, is under contract with Los Angeles and is in his eighth season with the franchise and 23rd overall. He averaged 22 points, 7.1 assists, 5.8 rebounds and 1.1 steals per game, while shooting 50.2 percent from the field and 30.5 percent from three-point range in 36 games. The Lakers entered the second half of the season at 33–21 and in fifth place in the Western Conference standings.

Los Angeles resumes play against the Los Angeles Clippers on Friday night at 7 pm PT on ESPN.

Cleveland, 34-21 and in fourth place in the Eastern Conference, returns from the All-Star break on Thursday night when it hosts the Brooklyn Nets at 4 p.m. PT. The Cavaliers are on a five-game winning streak.

Although no decisions have been made and James has not publicly addressed his long-term plans, Siegel’s comments underscore how there is growing league-wide belief that another chapter in Cleveland could be on the horizon.

The Cleveland Cavaliers will take on the Brooklyn Nets on Thursday night to tip off post-All-Star break play at Rocket Arena. Evan Mobley is not listed on the injury report, meaning he will play his first game since January 26. Dean Wade will also be in action for the first time since February 4. The Nets will be without Nick Claxton for the second consecutive game.

Here’s everything we know about Evan Mobley’s state of play vs. the Nets.

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Evan Mobley’s injury status vs. Nets

When it comes to the question of whether Evan Mobley is playing against the Nets tonight, the answer is yes.

Mobley has been ruled out of Cleveland’s last seven games after experiencing left calf soreness for the second time this season. Cavs head coach Kenny Atkinson shared that he and Dean Wade were looking forward to playing after fully participating in Wednesday’s practice.

In his last contest, Mobley scored 20 points, 9 rebounds and 2 blocks in a win over the Orlando Magic. Wade has been one of Cleveland’s top perimeter defenders as always, so we’ll see how he looks as he returns from his left ankle sprain. He will be a key component with Naquan Tomlin out due to a left calf strain.

The Nets will miss Claxton for the second straight game. Josh Minot, who was recently acquired before the trade deadline, is on G League assignment with Long Island. He will be joined by rookie Ben Saraf of Brooklyn, as well as the team’s three two-way players.

Cavs injury report

Naquan Tomlin: Out (pain in left calf)

Max Strus: Out (left leg surgery)

Tristan Enaruna: Out (Two-Way G League Assignment)

Emmanuel Miller: Out (Two-Way G League Assignment)

Riley Minix: Out (Two-Way G League Assignment)

net injury report

Nick Claxton: Out (sprained right ankle)

Ben Nerve: Out (G League assignment)

Josh Minott: Out (G League assignment)

EJ Liddell: Out (Two-Way G League Assignment)

Tyson Etienne: Out (Two-Way G League Assignment)

Cheney Johnson: Out (Two-Way G League Assignment)

Lonzo Ball’s first stint with the Cleveland Cavaliers was cut short as the team traded him to the Utah Jazz as part of a three-team deal. The Jazz eventually waived him, allowing him to become a free agent.

Ball said he understood the Cavaliers’ decision to fire him, but he responded to the statement by saying he was playing terribly.

“I don’t think I’m playing as bad as people are saying. I know I’m the scapegoat right now. But look, it comes with the name and it comes with what they brought me in for,” Ball said on the “Ball in the Family Podcast.”

“I wouldn’t say I’m playing great. But for me, I’m really just missing shots. People always say, ‘25% shooting.’ Okay, let’s actually take the percentage and talk about what it is. It is a four shot game. Sh***y, but I promise we’re not winning or losing games in four shots.”

How’s Zoe been playing lately… real breakdown 👀🔥 pic.twitter.com/uKl8G56lvH

– Ball in the Family Podcast (@ballinthefampod) 17 February 2026

The 28-year-old Ball seemed like a perfect fit for the Cavaliers when they signed him in the offseason. His unselfishness, playmaking and defense were qualities that coach Kenny Atkinson praised. But alas, it was not to be.

In 35 games for the Cavaliers, Ball averaged 4.6 points on 30.1% shooting, 4.0 rebounds, 3.9 assists and 1.3 steals in 20.8 minutes off the bench.

Ball continued, “Can I play better? Yes. Am I playing too bad? I don’t think I played well.”

Ball, who was the No. 2 overall pick in 2017, has struggled to find his rhythm after missing two seasons due to a knee injury.

The Golden State Warriors are reportedly interested in signing Ball.