The Los Angeles Clippers took a big risk ahead of this year’s NBA trade deadline when they traded talented and affordable center Ivica Zubac to the Indiana Pacers for a first-round pick. The risk was in the fact that the selection was top four safe, and with one of the worst records in the league, Indy had a great chance to reach the first four spots.

But he did not do so. They moved up to No. 5 in the NBA Draft Lottery, meaning the Clippers will now have the No. 5 pick next month. Or maybe not. According to The Athletic’s Sam Amick, LA has plenty of options, and he suggested trading the pick to get a star to pair with Kawhi Leonard next year isn’t out of the question.

With that in mind, let’s take a look at some potential trade ideas if the Clippers considered moving the No. 5 pick for short- and long-term gains.

Atlanta Hawks picks 8th and 23rd

The Clippers could certainly use the No. 5 pick in exchange for a proven star. But what if they took an NFL-style approach and tried to get a higher pick in Round 1? Many believe the class of 2026 is one of the best in a very long time, so if there was ever a year to go down and get more picks, this is it.

The Atlanta Hawks have a pair of eight-and-23. Moving back just three spots and gaining another pick in the top 25 to get two shots at landing potential stars isn’t a bad idea for a team with only one obvious star who is always waiting for an injury to happen.

Donovan Mitchell

On Friday night, the Cleveland Cavaliers can punch their ticket to the Eastern Conference Finals with a win over the Detroit Pistons. If they don’t do that, and Donovan Mitchell doesn’t sign a max extension he will be eligible for this summer, there is speculation the Cavs could trade the seven-time All-Star.

While the fifth pick won’t be enough to get Mitchell, it’s a great starting point that will certainly tempt Cleveland. They can use the pick to get a cheap replacement for the guard, and the Clippers will have a very interesting one-two, Leonard-Mitchell, punch next season.

paolo banchero

Another route the Clippers could take would be to dangle the No. 5 pick to the Orlando Magic and see if he can be part of a trade package for forward Paolo Banchero. It feels like the Banchero and Magic relationship has hit its stride after blowing a 3-1 lead over the Pistons in the opening round of the playoffs.

A combo with Leonard would be strong, but Banchero would also give them a piece to build around long-term once Leonard is gone for a long time.

Trey Murphy III and Yves Missy

Over the past two seasons, New Orleans Pelicans forward Trey Murphy III has emerged as one of the rising young stars in the league. While NO is hesitant to trade him, after another poor season, moving him for the No. 5 pick in June would be a return worth pulling the trigger.

While the 25-year-old has plenty of upside and is signed for three more seasons, the Pelicans should also include center Yves Messi in the deal to give the Clippers a good replacement for Zubac next season.

Oklahoma City Thunder picks 12 and 17, plus Isaiah Joe

One last option for the Clippers, if they trade the No. 5 pick, would be for the Oklahoma City Thunder’s selections at picks 12 and 17 in Round 1. OKC doesn’t have many roster spots, so they need to move picks and players. Moving two picks and backup guard Isaiah Joe will open up space and give them another elite prospect to go with their young core.

The trade will give the Clippers two top 20 prospects and a good, young reserve guard in Joe. Those three players could be part of LA’s new core going forward.

After earning a journalism degree in 2017, Jason Burgos worked as a contributor to several sites, including MMA Sacca… More about Jason Burgos

A new report points to the New York Knicks potentially replacing veteran rim-protector Mitchell Robinson with St. John’s top star in 2025-26.

Robinson never had stats that jumped off the page. Even this season, he is averaging 5.7 points, 8.8 rebounds and 1.2 blocks in just 19.6 minutes per night. However, for Knicks fans and rivals in the conference, they know the seven-foot player can make a big difference as an elite offensive rebounder, talented rim protector and lob threat.

That’s why New York gave the former second-round pick a huge raise four years ago in the form of a four-year, $60 million deal. However, with the valuable center in the final year of his contract, and the Knicks already hovering around the second salary tax apron, there’s a very real possibility they let Robinson walk in free agency.

That’s why they may consider trying to replace him with a more cost-effective option in June’s NBA Draft. Well, they could reportedly be one of those teams taking a close look at a player who could be a great replacement for Robinson next season.

Could the New York Knicks trade Mitchell Robinson for Zubie Ejiofor?

According to college basketball insider Adam Zagoria, more than 20 teams have “requested private workouts” with St. John’s star Jubie Ejiofor. It would make complete sense if the Knicks were one of the teams the senior won Big East Player of the Year, Defensive Player of the Year and Scholar Athlete of the Year honors last season for a Red Storm team that reached the Sweet 16.

Although Ejiofor is shorter than Robinson (7-feet compared to 6-foot-9), he weighs similar to the Knicks center. He is also a talented rim protector (2.1 blocks per night) and offensive rebounder (3.0 ORPG in 2025-26, 4.4 in 2024-25). However, he may be upgraded overall as he is a far more efficient scorer than Robinson.

Last season, Ejiofor posted 17.3 points per game and shot 72% from the line. Robinson is a liability at the line after averaging 51% from the stripe for his career. The St. John’s big man could be an option for New York, with a higher possibility at 24, or 31, to open Round 2 of the draft.

After earning a journalism degree in 2017, Jason Burgos worked as a contributor to several sites, including MMA Sacca… More about Jason Burgos

If the Houston Rockets are surprisingly eliminated by the Los Angeles Lakers in the opening round of the NBA playoffs, a new report suggests young star Alpern Sengun will be added to the trade package in a blockbuster deal this summer.

Entering the 2025–26 season, the Rockets were viewed as a real threat to the defending champions, the Oklahoma City Thunder, and with good reason. A year ago, they took a huge leap under head coach Ime Udoka as their young core showed real promise and they had an elite defense. Adding future Hall of Famer Kevin Durant to the mix seemed like a championship recipe.

However, as the year progressed, the Rockets failed to live up to expectations and questions of poor chemistry have emerged over the past few months. To open the playoffs, it looked like they had a matchup against a Lakers team without Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves. Nevertheless, they enter Game 3 of the series losing 2–0.

If they get eliminated in the first round again this year, there will definitely be roster changes. It would be wise to move on from Durant before he turns 38 in September. It seems like the experiment failed. However, according to William Guillory of The Athletic, there is a real possibility that Alpern Sengun could be used in a blockbuster trade for a top star to pair with Durant next season.

Could the Houston Rockets target Giannis Antetokounmpo and Donovan Mitchell this summer?

This is due to their up-and-down play in the second half of the season, and non-existent play in the first two games of their series against the Lakers. After acquiring Durant from rising star Jalen Green last year, Guillory suggests they could do the same again with the two-time All-Star this summer. His inclusion in any trade package would make him a favorite for any superstar on the trade block in the offseason.

Guillory wrote, “Giannis Antetokounmpo would be a name that has been linked to Houston as a potential superstar who could be acquired in a Sengun trade.” “Kawhi Leonard or Donovan Mitchell could also be possibilities. If Houston makes Sengun available with some future draft picks, it would put them among the favorites to acquire any undrafted superstars who may become available.”

Trading Antetokounmpo will be a top story this summer after the Milwaukee Bucks heard offers before the deadline. Reports surfaced last week that if Mitchell does not sign an extension with the Cleveland Cavaliers after the season, he could also be placed on the trade block. Leonard should also be available as the Clippers look to rebuild quickly over the next two years.

After earning a journalism degree in 2017, Jason Burgos worked as a contributor to several sites, including MMA Sacca… More about Jason Burgos

Mitchell Robinson has always been known for cryptic, hard-to-decode social media posts that leave fans reading between the lines. But after the New York Knicks’ 114-103 loss to the Charlotte Hornets on March 27, it seemed like Robinson completely flipped the script, and gave an answer so honest and self-aware that the entire Knicks fanbase didn’t see it coming.

After the game, a disappointed fan wrote to Robinson on Snapchat: “Y’all played like crap today, man.” Robinson responded without hesitation: “We did, but basketball won’t be a great night every night.”

Michelle Robinson holds up a mirror for the ny knicks

Snapchat certainly wasn’t the only social media platform where Robinson openly expressed his feelings. Right after the Knicks fan TV clip of Robinson instructing teammate Ariel Huckporty on rebounding before the game. He left a comment on the same post after the game.

Robinson wrote: “Until we change our mentality, it doesn’t matter; we’re not doing anything remarkable – keep that nonsense up, including me.”

a defeat that affected the situation

It was certainly not a tiring game. In fact, a Knicks win over Charlotte would have moved New York into second place in the Eastern Conference, a seeding that offers a lot of playoff advantage.

However, they allowed a Hornets team to dominate the first half 65–55, before going on a meaningless run late in the third quarter to put them behind 94–76. The Knicks’ record is currently 48–26, which is third in the East, but their playoff position has not been decided.

A monster test awaits against the Thunder

There is no time to be disappointed. The Knicks head to Paycom Center to play the Oklahoma City Thunder on Sunday. The Thunder are on top of the Western Conference with a 58-16 record and are very formidable with a 30-6 home record this season.

However, if Robinson’s honest comments do indeed indicate a real change in attitude, then Knicks supporters should be prepared to see him deliver an extraordinary rebounding show, completely controlling the zone, consistently blocking every missed shot for the Thunder, and clearly demonstrating why a focused Mitchell Robinson is without a doubt one of the league’s most powerful big men.

Jayesh Pagar is currently pursuing Sports Journalism from London School of Journalism and has four years of experience… More about Jayesh Pagar

The New York Knicks had a chance to make a real statement in their game against the Charlotte Hornets. Instead, they went home with a 114-103 loss, and Mitchell Robinson made sure no one forgot how bad it was.

Knicks Fan TV posted a video that caught everyone’s attention. The caption reads: “Coach Mitch giving Huckporty some pointers before the game.”

In the clip, Robinson can be heard rebounding for the young big man. He told Hookporty, “How to rebound… You know I had injuries back in the day… So I sat down and watched our team shoot… So like OG, prime example: OG shoots right above the front rim, so [misses] I’ll go back to that every time.”

After the game, Robinson did not mix anything. He commented on the same post and wrote: “It doesn’t matter unless we change our perspective, we’re not doing much, including me.”

The Knicks had no answers all night.

On the court, the Knicks couldn’t find any rhythm. The Hornets took a 38-36 lead early on after the first quarter and steadily increased it. The score was 65-55 at half time. Things got even worse in the third quarter, with Kon Knueppel and LaMelo Ball combining to significantly extend the lead, resulting in a 94–76 lead before the fourth.

The Knicks showed some fight late, with Josh Hart leading the way and Jalen Brunson finishing with 26 points and 13 assists. This was an important game. A win could have given New York the second seed in the East. Instead, they allowed a short-handed Hornets team to dominate them.

New York faces the Thunder on March 29 and it won’t be easy. OKC will come hungry after losing to the Celtics. Since Boston is still the second seed, the Knicks will have to find a way to get this win.

Furthermore, the Knicks will face even more difficult opponents going forward, and if Robinson’s statement is to be believed, they need to solve this immediately.

Jayesh Pagar is currently pursuing Sports Journalism from London School of Journalism and has four years of experience… More about Jayesh Pagar

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.

周六俄克拉荷马城雷霆队和华盛顿奇才队之间的比赛爆发了，紧张局势加剧，两支球队之间爆发了一场斗殴，最终雷霆队后卫阿贾伊·米切尔和奇才队边锋贾斯汀·商帕尼卷入其中。

据 ESPN 的沙姆斯·查拉尼亚 (Shams Charania) 报道，两名球员最终都被驱逐出比赛，周日，NBA 对阿贾伊·米切尔 (Ajay Mitchell) 和贾斯汀·商帕尼 (Justin Champagnie) 在斗殴事件中所扮演的角色进行了一场禁赛。比赛结束后。雷霆队主教练马克·戴尼奥特承认，他不同意官员对此事的处理方式。

雷霆队与奇才队的争吵原本并没有涉及米切尔和尚帕尼。事件开始时，香槟似乎妨碍了雷霆大个子杰林·威廉姆斯在投篮后发球。

两人互不相让，导致双方目光低下，几乎没有推搡。就在这时，裁判和队友们赶忙过来试图打破事态，但事态却反而愈演愈烈。就在那时，米切尔与尚帕尼对峙，导致尚帕尼推了他的脸。此后，争吵蔓延到场边的座位上。

威廉姆斯和雷霆队队友卡森华莱士也与米切尔和尚帕尼一起被驱逐出比赛，但他们都没有受到NBA的任何进一步处罚。

雷霆队最终以132-111击败奇才队，赢得了比赛。米切尔将缺席周一雷霆队对阵费城76人队的比赛，而香槟则将缺席周日奇才队对阵纽约尼克斯队的比赛。

Fireworks erupted during Saturday’s game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and Washington Wizards as tensions rose and a fight broke out between the two teams that eventually involved Thunder guard Ajay Mitchell and Wizards wing Justin Champagnie. According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, both players were ultimately ejected from the game, and on Sunday, the NBA handed down one-game suspensions to both Ajay Mitchell and Justin Champagnie for their roles in the fight.

After the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder were unable to visit the White House due to a “timing issue”, a fight broke out between Ajay Mitchell and Justin Champagne in the first half of the match against the Washington Wizards. Words were exchanged between the Thunder’s Jaylin Williams and Champagnie before Mitchell advanced and the two began brawling on the baseline and in the stands.

Teammates from both the Thunder and Wizards rush to separate your peopleAt the center of it all are Champagne and Michel. The Thunder’s Cason Wallace was also included.

Justin Champagnie and Ajay Mitchell join in 😳pic.twitter.com/ecjEvMay2R

– ClutchPoints (@clutchpoints) 21 March 2026

Wallace, earning a double-technical foul, as Williams, Mitchell and Champagnie, joined the trio as all four were ejected from the game.

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)

Donovan Mitchell scored a hat trick Sunday, achieving career, season and Cleveland Cavaliers team milestones in a single game.

Just three minutes into the first quarter, facing the Dallas Mavericks, he drained his 200th three-pointer of the season. The 2025–26 campaign marks the fourth time Mitchell has beaten at least that many in a season.

At the 8:45 mark of the third, on a pass from backcourt partner James Harden, Mitchell drilled another trey from 25 feet on the left wing to surpass the 15,000 mark.

Mitchell is the fifth NBA player to reach 15K since entering the league in 2017. Since that time, only Harden, DeMar DeRozan, Nikola Jokic and Giannis Antetokounmpo have accomplished the feat. According to Stathead, he is also the 35th player in NBA history to record 15,000 points in his first nine seasons.

Then, in the final frame, Mitchell recorded a 20-point game for the 193rd time, and in the process passed franchise legend Mark Price for sixth-most all-time in Cavs history. He needs only four more to make the jump to World B. Free to make the top five (196).

It has been a remarkable year for Mitchell in many ways, which deserves much praise.

New-look Cavs going through tough first stretch together

The Cavs are 4-5 in their last nine games, having been swept by the Orlando Magic and Toronto Raptors for the fourth seed in the Eastern Conference.

It is the first time that this version of the team has run into issues, after Mitchell, the returning Max Strus and Cleveland head coach Kenny Atkinson described the Mavs as a “bad loss.”

“I’m not going to use the word concern,” Mitchell said. “I think it’s something that we have 12 games to fix and move on from there. With the current structure of the group we haven’t had this, really any, adversity. So how do we handle it, right? Like, two tough losses defensively, that really hurt us. We go back and watch film. We’re going to have an important trip, and then when we come back. We’ll have some home games, right?

“That’s going to be the biggest thing. It’s not always going to happen… We would love to go out there and win these games, but you learn more through these losses, and use it to improve and get better.”

周五，克利夫兰骑士队客场挑战达拉斯小牛队。对于多诺万·米切尔来说，他希望 维持他一周的卓越表现。

在第二节，米切尔就是这么做的。还剩8分50秒时，骑士队42-33领先小牛队。库珀·弗拉格试图在弧顶传球。然而，米切尔就在那里拦截。

当他走向另一端时，米切尔 运用到完美 他的 商标风车移动 根据 ClutchPoints 的数据，对阵弗拉格上篮。

多诺万·米切尔 (Donovan Mitchell) 在库珀·弗拉格 (Cooper Flagg) 上空打出了他标志性的风车聚集 😮‍💨🔥pic.twitter.com/aW3bBKzN6l

— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) 2026 年 3 月 14 日

到目前为止，米切尔已经打了58场比赛。此外，他场均贡献28.3分和5.8次助攻。与此同时，骑士队战绩为40胜26负，排在东部第四，并且在过去的十场比赛中平分秋色。

此外，弗拉格在因脚伤连续缺席八场比赛后正在复出。尽管如此，弗拉格仍然 NBA年度最佳新秀的热门人选。

与此同时，米切尔最近 因腹股沟受伤缺席四场比赛。米切尔自 2022 年以来一直效力于骑士队。他目前正在克利夫兰度过他的第四个赛季。

2023年至2026年，米切尔作为骑士队成员入选NBA全明星阵容。 2024 年 7 月，米切尔 签署为期三年、价值 1.503 亿美元的续约合同 与克利夫兰。

周日，骑士队将在主场再次迎战小牛队。随后，他们将在周二客场对阵密尔沃基雄鹿队。周四，骑士队将前往芝加哥迎战公牛队。

然后他们将在客场对阵新奥尔良鹈鹕队结束本周的比赛。

The Cleveland Cavaliers visit the Dallas Mavericks on Friday. For Donovan Mitchell, he was looking maintain his week of excellence.

Mitchell did the same in the second quarter. With 8:50 left, the Cavaliers led the Mavericks 42–33. Cooper Flagg attempted to pass the ball at the top of the key. However, Mitchell was there for the interception.

As he moved towards the other end, Mitchell used to perfection His trademark windmill trick Against the flag for a layup, according to ClutchPoints.

Donovan Mitchell assembles his signature windmill atop the Cooper Flag 😮‍💨🔥pic.twitter.com/aW3bBKzN6l

– ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) 14 March 2026

Mitchell has played 58 matches so far. Additionally, he averages 28.3 points and 5.8 assists per game. Meanwhile, the Cavaliers are 40-26, in fourth place in the Eastern Conference standings, and have dropped their last ten games.

Additionally, Flagg is returning after missing eight straight games with a foot injury. Still, the flag remains Odds-on favorites for NBA Rookie of the Year.

Meanwhile, Michelle recently Missed four games due to back injury. Mitchell is with the Cavaliers through 2022. He is currently playing his fourth season in Cleveland.

From 2023 to 2026, Mitchell was selected to the NBA All-Star team as a member of the Cavaliers. In July 2024, Michelle Signed a three-year, $150.3 million contract extension With Cleveland.

On Sunday, the Cavaliers will face the Mavericks again at home. Next, they play on the road against the Milwaukee Bucks on Tuesday. On Thursday, the Cavaliers travel to Chicago to take on the Bulls.

They will then finish the week against the New Orleans Pelicans.

The Cleveland Cavaliers host the Philadelphia 76ers on Monday night. Neither Donovan Mitchell nor Evan Mobley are listed on the injury report for the second half of the back-to-back. The Cavs have a laundry list of names to consider before the tilt, including Jarrett Allen, Max Strus and more. The Sixers will be without Tyrese Maxey, Joel Embiid and VJ Edgecombe, among others.

Here’s everything we know about Donovan Mitchell and Evan Mobley’s playing status against the 76ers, as well as their teammates.

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Injury status of Donovan Mitchell, Evan Mobley for Cavs vs. 76ers

When it comes to the question of whether Donovan Mitchell and Evan Mobley are playing in tonight’s Cavs vs. 76ers matchup, the answer is yes.

After missing two weeks of action, Mitchell returned from a groin strain on Sunday to turn in a commendable effort against the Boston Celtics in a 109-98 loss. The Cavs’ star guard finished with 30 points, seven rebounds, five assists and two blocks in 34 minutes. Mobley is set to go into Monday’s meet, marking the first time he has played in two consecutive games since returning from a left calf strain following the All-Star break.

James Harden is available for Cleveland to continue playing despite a fractured right thumb. The same goes for Keon Ellis, who is dealing with a broken left finger. Dean Wade is likely with a sprained right ankle, and, as close as the start of the season seems to be for Max Strus, he has not yet returned for the Cavs.

The Sixers will be without three of their key players in Tyrese Maxey, Joel Embiid and Paul George. Philadelphia is also going to be without standout rookie VJ Edgecombe due to a back injury. Kelly Oubre Jr. will be able to play in Cleveland.

Cavs injury report

Jarrett Allen: Out (tendinitis of the right knee)

James Harden: Available (fracture in right thumb)

Keon Ellis: Available (Fracture of left index finger)

Dean Wade: probable (sprained right ankle)

Tyrese Proctor: Out (right quadriceps strain)

Max Strus: Out (left leg surgery)

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

76ers injury report

Tyrese Maxey: Out (sprained right finger)

Joel Embiid: Out (right oblique stretch)

Paul George: Out (league suspension)

VJ Edgecombe: Out (lunar fusion)

Kelly Oubre Jr: Available (recovering from left knee injury)

John Broom: Out (right knee surgery)

For the first time since January, Oklahoma City Thunder guard Ajay Mitchell’s name was not on the injury report, clearing him to return to face the Denver Nuggets on Monday at Paycom Center. Mitchell suffered a stomach strain and a sprained left ankle. Thunder All-Star Chet Holmgren is listed as questionable after missing Friday’s 104-97 win against the Golden State Warriors due to illness.

Mitchell, who has emerged as one of Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault’s most reliable guards this season, has rejoined the backcourt, which has filled in for Jared McCann during his absence. Ajay Mitchell is making his return for the Thunder ahead of the highly anticipated rematch of last year’s Western Conference Semifinals best-of-7 series against the Nuggets.

Alex Caruso (left hip) is listed as questionable for the Thunder, while Isaiah Hartenstein (left calf), Jalen Williams during a lengthy rehabilitation for a right hamstring injury, and Brandon Carlson (back) remain out for the defending champions.

Monday’s matchup between the Thunder and Nuggets follows last week’s overtime thriller, which resulted in a 127-121 victory for Oklahoma City. Lou Dort drew a flagrant-2 foul on Nuggets All-Star Nikola Jokic, ending his night after provoking an angry Jokic, who earned a technical foul for connecting with the Thunder’s Jaylin Williams.

Lu Dort apologizes for offensive comment on Nikola Jokic in Thunder’s win

After public backlash, Thunder guard Lou Dort apologized for his flagrant 2 foul on Nuggets All-Star center Nikola Jokic. According to Joel Lorenzi of The Athletic, Dort says he got caught up in the moment and fouled Jokic in a way he regrets.

“It was a physical game the whole game,” Dortch said. “Obviously, there was unnecessary contact that I shouldn’t have made. Getting kicked out of the game hurt me the worst. But yes, it was a high-level game. I’m a competitor, so I compete.”

Fans should expect the same level of intensity in this Western Conference rival between the Thunder and Nuggets, who will meet for the second-to-last time in the regular season on Monday.

After the Boston Celtics defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference clash, Jayson Tatum got props from Donovan Mitchell and James Harden for recovering from his concussions, returning to the field and immediately making a big impact on the game.

“He looks good,” Mitchell said in his postgame interview following the Cavs’ 109–98 loss to the Celtics. “I think naturally there’s some hesitation. I mean, it’s been 300 days. But you can see how he started the game. Even the slow start against Dallas, it just takes a few moves — it could be an Achilles, a groin injury — you just need a few moves to be like, ‘Okay,’ and then you get back at it.”

“But he looks really good for someone [that missed] 10 months. It’s impressive.”

Tatum finished the game with 20 points, three rebounds and two assists to only one turnover in 27 minutes. He started the game by getting to his spot on the drive and finding his way to the free-throw line and, despite a slight cold, finished the day strong in the fourth quarter.

“Getting to your spots, making shots,” said Harden, who acknowledged Tatum before the matchup. “Obviously, it’s important for them to keep them in the mix, but they just do an incredible job of creating advantages; a well-coached team, and they played well today.

“I just told him, you look at a young guy, especially of that caliber, who has had a lot of success and won championships, and then, boom, adversity comes along. That mentality of not letting anything slow him down and stop him, and then he comes back, first game back, he plays well; tonight, he plays well. I think that’s a motivation in itself.”

Cavs head coach Kenny Atkinson treated this meeting with the Celtics as if Tatum was fully healthy, admitting that it would be difficult to evaluate where he is now versus where he could be in a month or two in the postseason.

With this result, Boston increased its record to 43–21, and moved closer to the East’s top seed, the suddenly slipping Detroit Pistons. The Celtics added to their lead over Cleveland, now leading by four in the standings.

With Tatum back in the mix, and plenty of firepower around him and Jaylen Brown, there’s no telling how far they can take this. The Cavs will definitely be preparing for this.

“He changes the game,” Evan Mobley said. “He’s a great player. Instead of just focusing more on Brown, you have to focus on both now. It’s definitely a different dynamic, and we’ll be ready for it.”

Harden even said that Cleveland could look to Boston as a prime example of who it should aspire to be in the postseason.

“I told everybody, that’s the standard,” Harden said. “That’s standard. Part of the game of basketball is missing and making shots, but, like, our competitive nature to a game, our competitive spirit — whether we’re making shots or not — that’s what we do. And we forced the game to take over. And I think in the second half, we found something in ourselves.

“Being in my 10th or 11th game here, this is the level we’ve got to get to, Boston. And once we get there – because I know we’re good enough, we’ll get there – then we’ll be a better team. If we’re making shots, we’re going to shut teams out. Tonight we didn’t make shots, and we still gave ourselves chances. So it’s that simple.”

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 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 the Miami Heat battle injuries ahead of Tuesday’s game against the Brooklyn Nets, one player whose status is up in the air is point guard Davion Mitchell. Following the Heat’s win over the Houston Rockets, Mitchell’s injury is worth monitoring as the team looks to add more wins in the home stretch of the season, as he talked about his latest injury.

Mitchell is listed as “questionable” for Tuesday’s game against Brooklyn as he is dealing with a left shoulder injury that fans may be familiar with. The 27-year-old, who previously missed eight games in January with a left shoulder problem, suffered a hard screen during Saturday’s game-opening win over the Rockets, although he finished the contest.

He will practice partially on Monday, saying the current shoulder problem is not as severe as the one that caused him to miss time in January.

According to The Miami Herald, Mitchell said, “It’s not that bad.” “Definitely a little bit of the same pain. But definitely not as bad.”

The Heat’s Davion Mitchell is potentially changing a certain aspect

In Saturday’s win over Houston, Mitchell would record 10 points and five assists, as he has been a mainstay in Miami’s starting lineup when healthy, averaging 8.9 points and 6.9 assists per game. In addition to his point-guard abilities, he is also one of the team’s better defenders, although he was asked if he would limit himself to passing screens due to shoulder injuries.

“I try to play the same way,” Mitchell said. “I don’t try to change anything, I mean, honestly, he caught me. I’ve been looking at a screen for a minute since that injury, and it hasn’t really bothered me. This time, he caught me.”

It remains to be seen whether Mitchell will play, as he said, “We’ll see” when asked the question after Monday’s practice. At any rate, Miami will be looking for a win as Tuesday’s home matchup against the Nets will be crucial for the team with a 32-29 record, which will keep them in eighth place in the East.

The Detroit Pistons and Cleveland Cavaliers were already in a chaotic, “Twilight Zone” matchup at Little Caesars Arena when Donovan Mitchell decided to steal the show from the sideline. With a broken scoreboard and a literal handheld air horn dictating the rhythm of the game, Mitchell provided the perfect comedy beat on an otherwise tense Friday night for the Cavs.

While participating in an in-game interview from the bench, the sidelined Cavs superstar couldn’t help but play “armchair referee.” As he watched Dennis Schroder steal and then be fouled, Mitchell took over to defend his teammate. “Look at Dennis, man. That’s foul. Sorry,” he joked. It was a rare moment of jubilation in a building that felt more like a construction site than an NBA arena.

“Look at Dennis, man. This is foul.”

-Donovan Mitchell joins the broadcast from the bench pic.twitter.com/CWlyHJK2fw

– NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) 28 February 2026

Ultimately the jokes faded as the Pistons won 122–119 in an overtime thriller. Jalen Duren was a pass rusher, anchoring Detroit with a 33-point, 16-rebound triple-double. Cade Cunningham performed equally well, finishing with 26 points and seven assists to secure the win in front of the home crowd.

Despite Mitchell and James Harden being down, the Cavs refused to go quietly. Evan Mobley put up 23 points and 12 rebounds, while Jarrett Allen’s 25 points kept them alive long enough to force a 114–114 tie at the end of regulation. In the end, Detroit’s interior strength proved too much for the shorthanded Cavs to handle in the additional five minutes.

Despite showing tremendous grit and determination, the Cavs could not overcome the Pistons, who were losing their stars.

Participating in his first NBA All-Star Weekend, Jaylon Tyson was at the free-throw line during the Rising Stars game when his Cleveland Cavaliers teammate Donovan Mitchell literally announced his presence, and yelled at him as he walked to the front row of Crypto.com Arena. While trying to concentrate on making the shot, the 23-year-old lost focus after laughing and dropped it.

“I was trying to win MVP. I’m not going to lie. I was trying to get it,” Tyson recalled during practice last week. “And he’s yelling something in there. But I made it.”

Unfortunately, Tyson’s Tracy McGrady-led Team T-Mac did not have a chance to reach the title match; That doesn’t mean Tyson couldn’t bring out his true self. He led his team with 10 points and five rebounds in 11 minutes.

Tyson said, “The game, I wasn’t that happy because it was only five minutes, and then we had to go off the court.” “So I wanted to keep playing the whole game.”

Tyson dished out two assists, one of which was a highlight reel hook-up with Miami Heat big man Kel’El Ware on an alley-oop while turning the corner. Having missed the opportunity as a rookie, he took this as a chance to show what he was capable of with all eyes on the league’s biggest weekend.

“He plays hard,” Mitchell said. “He plays hard. He’s picking up the whole court. He’s doing all the things. I wish he’d get some help out there. He’s rebounding. He’s passing. He’s doing everything.”

“It’s been nice sharing the court with those guys. In my mind, I know I’m better than a lot, if not all, of those guys,” Tyson said. “I just want to go out there and prove it every day, and then, hopefully, be an All-Star one day.”

Unlike many talents who stay the weekend in Los Angeles, Tyson flew home after Friday to recuperate and prepare himself for the second half of the season. Mitchell was impressed with his professionalism in handling his first All-Star Weekend. He also made sure the talented young forward’s presence was felt when it came to 3-point contests.

Mitchell wore Tyson’s number 20 with his name on the back, as he had done with Sam Merrill’s uniform a few years earlier.

“It was great,” Cavs head coach Kenny Atkinson said. “They have a great relationship. Donovan has embraced Jaylon from day one. The first thing he looked at him, he said, ‘This kid has this crazy work ethic.’ It reminds me a lot of Donovan. So I think he’s a big part of Jaylon’s development. It really helps when your best player contributes to the development of a young player. I thought it was a good move to do so.”

Although Tyson joked that his jersey was “a little big” for Mitchell, he felt his teammate’s love, and that’s nothing new.

Tyson said, “He’s one of those guys that I’ll have a relationship with throughout my career and beyond.” “I’m so grateful to have her. Honestly, I feel like I give her a lot of credit for that year. I go back to that text message; I don’t think people understand how much that text message meant to me and how much confidence it gave me. So I give her a lot of credit for all my success.”

Tyson is referring to when Mitchell approached him in the offseason about “his need” and his confidence in stepping into a bigger role. Mitchell admitted he hasn’t had the kind of year he’s had this year, with the second-year swingman averaging 13.5 points, 5.4 rebounds and 2.2 assists in 27.4 minutes per game with the league’s third-best three-point shooting percentage (45.6%) and top-20 effective field goal percentage (60.0%).

It helps to have a shoulder to lean on when things go in different directions, and it was the subject of a heart-to-heart conversation as the two flew to LA together before the festivities began in mid-February.

“I was like, ‘Hey, this can’t be a 40-point night for you. This can’t be a 30-point night. This can’t be a start, this can’t be this,'” Mitchell said. “I told him, ‘Man, you’ve already shown that you’re capable.’ You’ve already shown a lot.” [than] More people have done this in their careers, and you have done it in a little more than half a year.

“So for him to adjust to his role and be OK with it is definitely impressive for a second-year guy. We’ll be on him, and he’s got to continue to earn everything he’s been doing. Nothing is a given, but he’s doing a good job. We’ve got to keep that going.”

Jaylon Tyson, the Cavs’ direction and the reality of the NBA

Since Cleveland shifted its roster with the acquisitions of James Harden, Dennis Schroder and Keon Ellis, the young players have seen a change in their responsibilities and a decrease in playing time. The veterans brought him in because of his experience and the need to adjust to a new group. As a result, players who were praised for their readiness throughout the season have been taken down a peg.

For example, Craig Porter Jr. and Naquan Tomlin have been left out of the current rotation. Tyson is still in the everyday lineup, but not in the same order.

“Defend, rebound, limit mistakes, make shots. That’s what it’s about,” Atkinson said. “In situations like this your package gets reduced, and he understands that, and he’s been great. I think he had a pretty good stretch; that’s how he got in the rotation, right? But now, living forward and looking at the playoffs, we’re seeing a similar role.”

“Once everyone comes back, once we’re fully healthy, it’s going to be a huge sacrifice,” Tyson said. “Whatever that looks like, obviously, the roles will change. But just buying into that role and doing something bigger than any one of us.”

Before Cleveland hosted the New York Knicks on Tuesday, Atkinson was surprisingly tough on Tyson, who played back-to-back games with less than 17 minutes left. This was his lowest total of playing time since late October.

When asked how he can get back to his normal amount of burn, Atkinson explained that Tyson and the guys playing the role have to earn it because of the short window for Cleveland to put the pieces in place before the postseason.

“It’ll come out on its own. It’s definitely a change for him,” Atkinson said. “I understand that, as a young player, it’s not easy. You go from scoring 39 points a couple weeks ago to, ‘My minutes are down a little bit.’ And I think he probably had some games where he wasn’t playing at that elite level. We’ve obviously added three new guys, three new rotation guys. So, it’s been cut a little differently.”

Tyson answers the call

Later that night, Atkinson praised Tyson for excelling in everything that was asked of him, especially guarding Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns.

“That was kind of the blueprint right there,” Atkinson said. “Offensively, played in the short role, hit catch-and-shoot threes, limited his mistakes, and then played very good defense. We put him out there on the KAT, and he’s big and strong enough to defend him and put pressure on him and bother him.

“Behind Dean, can he be a perimeter stopper? He’s shown he can do that. He’s played really well all year. As young players, [they] Will probably make a few more mistakes than a vet like Dean, but if he wants big playoff minutes, this will have to be it. Can you become our job keeper? It’s a really positive trend: defensive numbers are good, size, obviously, a good rebounder. But there is development. It’s really, ‘Make fewer mistakes and be more solid.’ [with] Game plan stuff.”

Tyson finished with 12 points, 8 rebounds and 2 assists, recording one steal and one block each, turning it over only once. Mitchell was encouraged by Tyson’s performance during the game.

“You saw him tonight as a 5-man, his formation and playing the pick and roll,” Mitchell said. “Pass to him, he’s got a layup, he’s got a floater, he’s making decisions. That’s what we’re going to need from him. That’s his bread and butter.”

While empathizing with how he may be feeling, Atkinson believes Tyson is handling the transition well.

“I don’t think it’s easy for anyone, but he’s an extremely mature person,” Atkinson said. “He gets it. He’s got great veteran support, not just coaches, but vets who explain to him what it looks like, and we have these discussions as a team. And it’s not just Jaylon, right? It’s other role players. It’s Keon. It’s Dennis. It’s just part of the situation when you have a lot of good players on your roster.”

Who knows how Harden’s broken right thumb will affect his role? For example, he probably won’t suit up for 35 minutes per night as he did in Thursday’s game against the Milwaukee Bucks, as Mitchell and Evan Mobley also missed that game. It appears that Max Strus is on track to make a comeback at some point.

With Mitchell suffering a groin problem, Ellis suffering a fractured left index finger, Schroder suffering a sprained left ankle and Dean Wade suffering a right ankle injury, Tyson will need to return to his pre-trade duties. It’s a constant push and pull.

But whatever is required of him, Tyson will keep his head down and do whatever is asked of him to help the Cavs win.

“I feel like it’s just part of the NBA,” Tyson said. “Unless you’re a superstar, your role is going to change, and I think the best role players adapt to that. It’s something I’ve had to learn to do. I don’t mind that, OK, because obviously, I just want to win. James is here, he wants to win.

“I want to be a member to help him win and get that ring; the city of Cleveland, Donovan, everybody. I want to be a member to help them.”

The Cleveland Cavaliers head to take on the Milwaukee Bucks in the second night of a home-road match on Wednesday. James Harden is listed as questionable due to a broken thumb, while Donovan Mitchell and Evan Mobley will be out of action. Meanwhile, the Bucks will not have Giannis Antetokounmpo available for the matchup.

Here’s everything we know about James Harden and Donovan Mitchell’s playing status against the Hornets, in addition to their teammates.

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Injury status of James Harden, Donovan Mitchell for Cavs vs. Bucks

When it comes to the question of whether James Harden and Donovan Mitchell are playing in tonight’s Cavs vs. Bucks matchup, the answer is probably for Beard and not Spida.

Cleveland announced this afternoon that Harden suffered a non-displaced fracture of the distal phalanx of his right hand against the New York Knicks on Tuesday night. Luckily for both him and the team, it’s the thumb of his non-shooting-hand. It appears he plans to play despite the injury, which could keep him out in Milwaukee, depending on whether the Cavs want him to play through it soon.

Mitchell is listed out with a right groin strain, while Mobley is also sidelined with a strain on his left calf. With the Detroit Pistons next on the road on Friday, and the Cavs coming off a five-game-in-seven-night finish, it’s not surprising both are sitting out this one.

Max Strus has yet to make his season debut after recovering from left foot surgery, but Kenny Atkinson provided an encouraging update on his condition moving forward.

The Bucks will be without Giannis Antetokounmpo for the 13th consecutive game due to a calf injury.

Cavs injury report

James Harden: Questionable (fracture in right thumb)

Donovan Mitchell: Out (right waist stretch)

Evan Mobley: Out (Left calf injury maintenance)

Max Strus: Out (left leg surgery)

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

Darius Brown II: Out (Two-Way G League Assignment)

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

bucks injury report

Giannis Antetokounmpo: Out (right calf strain)

Alex Antetokounmpo: Out (Two-Way G League Assignment)

Taurean Prince: Out (neck surgery)

The Miami Heat defeated the Memphis Grizzlies 136-120 in their performance on Saturday night, as the team looks to continue their three-game winning streak heading into Tuesday’s matchup against the Milwaukee Bucks. As the Heat look to avoid the play-in tournament and climb the Eastern Conference standings, the team gets important injury updates for Tuesday.

Miami practiced on Monday before the trip, with all but Davion Mitchell and Nikola Jovic practicing, as both missed Saturday’s aforementioned win over the Grizzlies. According to Anthony Chiang of The Miami Herald, Mitchell is dealing with an illness as Jovic suffered a lower back injury, the severity of which he will see a doctor to check.

“It remains to be seen if he will travel with the team to Milwaukee today for tomorrow’s game vs. the Bucks. Jovic went to see a doctor for his back today,” Chiang, formerly of the X, wrote on Twitter.

Mitchell has been a mainstay in the Heat’s starting lineup as the primary point guard, while Jovic has typically come off the bench but has struggled for most of the year. The news of Miami’s recovery following the return of star Tyler Herro is stinging, as Norman Powell reiterated after Saturday’s win that the team is “starting to buy into the collective effort.”

“I think obviously we finally got healthy, we didn’t have [Mitchell] Tonight, but I think this is the healthiest we’ve been all year, and we just want to keep that chemistry and do all the little things to help us get out of these games and not have any slipups and continue to focus on our goal of getting out of the play-ins. [tournament]Powell continued.

Norman Powell was asked about the Heat winning three consecutive games for the first time, and while he joked about it being a shot (laughs), he explained how the team is “starting to buy into the collective effort” and the goal of getting out of the play-in tournament: #HeatNation pic.twitter.com/5WOEXWbFUw

– Zachary Weinberger (@ZachWeinberger) 22 February 2026

In any case, it remains to be seen what the situation is with Michel and Jovic.

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.

After a 2024-25 season in which the Cleveland Cavaliers finished atop the Western Conference and still ended the season with a disappointment, the Cavs are looking to rebuild once again. The arrival of James Harden and an influx of stars headlined by Donovan Mitchell means the Cavs are once again seen as genuine title contenders.

And while Mitchell notched his 100th 30-point game for the Cavs against the Charlotte Hornets, his postgame comments will put an even bigger smile on fans’ faces.

Donovan on his 100th, 30-point game as a Cavalier:

“Hopefully I get 100, 200 more, that’s the goal. … I love being here, I love being a part of this group, I love being a part of this organization and this city. There’s a lot of Cavs fans out there coming to see the crowds we have on the road. Before I… pic.twitter.com/9e4tXeWx81

-RealCavsFans.com (@realcavsfans) 21 February 2026

“Hopefully I get 100, 200 more, that’s the goal. … I love being here, I love being a part of this group, I love being a part of this organization and this city. To see the crowd we have on the road, there are so many Cavs fans. Before I got here, I didn’t know how many people were actually from Ohio. To hear that wherever I go is special,” Mitchell told RealCavsFans.com As explained in a post on

The 29-year-old has established himself as one of the best scorers in the NBA, averaging 28.8 points per game (career-high), 5.9 assists, 4.5 rebounds and 1.5 steals. The win is Cleveland’s seventh consecutive win and 12th in the last 13 games.

The defining story was Mitchell’s acquisition in the fourth quarter. The All-Star guard finished with 32 points, including 13 in the final period.

And while Mitchell sealed the game, Jarrett Allen’s interior dominance was equally important. Allen contributed 25 points and 14 rebounds while Harden chipped in with 18 points and eight assists.

For the Hornets, Kon Knueppel had a 33-point performance with seven three-pointers, bringing his total three-pointers for the season to 193, the second-most by a rookie in the NBA. Despite trailing by 14 points after the first half, Knueppel’s effective shooting allowed the Hornets to get back into the game.

Nevertheless, the Hornets lost due to lack of support, with their second highest scorer Brandon Miller finishing with 18 points. The Cavs’ offensive talent proved too much in the end, helping them earn their seventh consecutive win.

Not only did the Cleveland Cavaliers finish in first place in the Eastern Conference last season with a 64-18 record, but they achieved the biggest accomplishment of the offseason by defeating James Harden. Already viewed as legitimate title contenders, Cleveland now has a point to prove, and star man Donovan Mitchell certainly understands that.

Speaking on SiriusXM, Mitchell claimed there was a sense of urgency to win the championship, according to a post on X by ClutchPoints.

“This could be one of my last chances, maybe James [Harden’s] Last chance… We understand what’s ahead of us, we understand what’s in front of us.”

Donovan Mitchell on being ready to win a championship for the Cavs 🏆

(via @SiriusXMNBA)pic.twitter.com/vypGBeqca9

– ClutchPoints (@clutchpoints) 19 February 2026

“As far as pressure, there’s obviously a sense of urgency. It’s like, hey you know, when you add a guy that’s just as hungry as the group. The way it was last year, it was either us or OKC. So how do you respond now?” He began by suggesting that Harden’s move means this could be his last chance to emerge as champion before questions are asked.

“I wouldn’t say there’s extra pressure, but there’s a sense of urgency. This could be one of my last chances, maybe James [Harden’s] Last chance…we understand what’s ahead of us, we understand what’s in front of us,” Donovan Mitchell said.

Cleveland is 34-21 and in fourth place in the Eastern Conference, but the record only tells part of the story. The decision to acquire Harden in exchange for Darius Garland and a future second-round pick indicates that the front office is looking to win now, and wants the roster to move beyond the development phase starting this campaign.

The acquisition of Harden directly addresses Cleveland’s biggest postseason issue: offensive stagnation and secondary shot creation in the half-court. Even at 36 years old, Harden is averaging 25.0 points and 8.2 assists per game this season, his most productive scoring in five seasons.

Of course, Mitchell remains the star man despite Harden’s arrival. The 7-time All-Star is producing 29.0 points, 5.9 assists and 4.5 rebounds per game and finished fifth in MVP voting last campaign. This time, he will not only want his team to emerge as a genuine title threat but will also have his eye on individual accolades.

Recently, the NBA world was shocked to learn that Chris Paul will be retiring following his release from the Toronto Raptors. Paul was recently traded to the Raptors from the Los Angeles Clippers, who unofficially parted ways with him at the beginning of the year.

Previously, the future Hall of Famer announced that the 2025-26 season would be his last, and unfortunately, he didn’t get the farewell tour that some fans were hoping for.

Recently, Cleveland Cavaliers star shooting guard Donovan Mitchell spoke out about his disappointment in seeing Paul go out like this.

“I think he deserved a better way to go out. For a Hall of Famer, for a legend, for a point guard like that to go out like that… it’s definitely tough,” Mitchell said of Axe, formerly of ClutchPoints, on Twitter, according to Yahoo Sports.

Paul rejoined the Clippers before this season, but he was surprisingly sent home from the team in the middle of a road trip, with reports later alleging sourness between Paul and Clippers head coach Ty Lue.

Since then, Paul was technically still a member of the Clippers while away from the team, which changed with his eventual trade and release from the Raptors.

Paul is undoubtedly a future Hall of Famer who has elevated every team he has been on throughout his career, helping mentor league MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander during his stint with the Oklahoma City Thunder during the 2020 season, and even guiding the Phoenix Suns to within two games of the NBA Finals the following year.

Although his final chapter did not go as he had hoped, Paul will still be remembered as one of the great point guards of his generation, and arguably one of the last pure floor generals in the NBA landscape.

Obviously, he still has respect for his teammates.

The idea of ​​LeBron James returning to the Cleveland Cavaliers for one last dance would be attractive to star guard Donovan Mitchell.

Rumors of James signing with his first NBA team to finish his career have been circulating around the league. The veteran star is going through his eighth season and counting with the Los Angeles Lakers, but he will be an unrestricted free agent this offseason.

Mitchell addressed those rumors during his interview on SiriusXM NBA Radio on Saturday. If James decides to return to Cleveland for his final season in the league, he is very open to this scenario, citing the special occasion.

“As a Browns fan, to be able to be a teammate, obviously, will be special,” Mitchell said during an interview with SiriusXM NBA Radio on Saturday.

“Yeah, man, it’s LeBron James. But at the end of the day, that’s not my focus. I’m not here to worry about that. I know I’ll be asked about it a lot throughout the weekend… but my focus is on the fact that we just traded for James Harden, Dennis Schroder, Keon Ellis. Let’s try to find a way to get a ring.”

“It’s LeBron James, right?”

Here are Donovan Mitchell’s thoughts on rumors that LeBron could end his career in Cleveland@terminradio | @jumpshot8

Click here for more All-Star coverage – https://t.co/j3RPgmlH7e pic.twitter.com/lm2My2U5HQ

– SiriusXM NBA Radio (@SiriusXMNBA) 15 February 2026

Donovan Mitchell, what’s next for the Cavaliers

Donovan Mitchell is right to remain focused on the current season. The Cavaliers traded Darius Garland to the Los Angeles Clippers in exchange for James Harden, increasing their chances of being a serious contender for the remainder of the season.

Mitchell has been excelling as one of the best scorers in the league. In his fourth season with the Cavaliers, he has averaged 29 points, 5.9 assists, 4.5 rebounds and 1.5 steals per game in 51 appearances. He is shooting 48.7% from the field, including 37.6% from beyond the arc, and 85.3% from the free-throw line.

Cleveland has a record of 33–21 on the season, placing fourth in the Eastern Conference standings. They are two games up on the Toronto Raptors and 3.5 games up on the Philadelphia 76ers. However, they trail the New York Knicks by one game and the Boston Celtics by 1.5 games.

With five consecutive wins, the Cavaliers will remain on hiatus until All-Star Weekend festivities conclude. They will resume action at home when they host the Brooklyn Nets on February 19th at 7 PM ET.

NBA All-Star Weekend is finally here and all the festivities are starting in Los Angeles as one of the weekend’s longest-running events returns with a new group of players. Larry Bird, Stephen Curry, Mark Price and other greats have graced the stage in the NBA 3-Point Contest, but only one can emerge victorious on Saturday.

Tyler Herro of the Miami Heat won the competition in 2025, but was replaced by teammate Norman Powell. The Blazers’ Damian Lillard comes into the event having won two of his last three, but it’s the Charlotte Hornets’ rookie sharpshooter Kon Nueppel who comes in as the betting favorite. The Suns’ Devin Booker will also return after his memorable final round victory in 2018.

3-Point Contest Odds, courtesy of DraftKings

2026 NBA All-Star 3-Point Contest Odds

Kon Knuppel: +240
Damian Lillard: +400
Jamal Murray: +650
Devin Booker: +650
Tyrese Maxey: +700
Donovan Mitchell: +750
Norman Powell: +1000
Bobby Portis: +1200

overview

Each contestant will have 70 seconds (1:10) to pass five racks of five balls, each rack containing a “money ball”. In general, a regular basketball will be worth one point while a money ball will be worth two points. The fifth rack, which can be placed at any position by the participant, will exclusively contain five money balls. Finally, two “from the logo” spots will be designated with two shots for three points each.

Each player will take a total of 27 shots in the first round. The three highest scores will advance to the championship round, shooting in the reverse order of their total from the first round.

Main storyline, returning participants

The most interesting name to watch here is Damian Lillard of the Portland Trail Blazers, who has already won this championship two of the last three years. He is not expected to return to action during the 2025–26 season due to pain, but is determined to compete and regain his former crown. The Cavs’ Donovan Mitchell and the Heat’s Norman Powell return for another breakout season after a brief absence over the past two years.

Of all the contestants, Tyrese Maxey has had the best season and is garnering MVP votes for his performances with the 76ers this season. Kon Knueppel is challenging the Mavericks’ Cooper Flagg for “Rookie of the Year” and winning this contest could certainly raise his stock in the eyes of fans.

player to watch

Rookie Kon Nueppel is the clear betting favorite here, shooting 43.1% from deep on an average attempt ratio of 3.4-7.9 this season. Additionally, he is also adept at taking open looks, so this type of competition is tailored to his skill set. Players like Devin Booker and Donovan Mitchell provide a serious chance as they are both capable of catching heat from deep, but they can be considered more of in-game shooters.

The Milwaukee Bucks’ Bobby Portis actually has the highest three-point percentage in the entire field at 45.1%, so don’t be surprised if he is able to advance to the championship round. Making sure to conserve energy through all five racks is a lesson first-timers usually learn very late in the round, so expect Portis, Maxi and Knueppel to pace themselves early in this rack.

In terms of taking a risk in this contest, Devin Booker could be a solid choice as he has already won this contest. I expect Tyrese Maxey and Donovan Mitchell to go down early as they are more effective when heated up during the game, but players like Booker, Nueppel and Lillard could step up because of their rhythm.

Final 3-Point Contest Predictions and Winners

It’s hard to say how effective Damian Lillard will be in regaining his title while competing despite an injured Achilles. The Hornets’ Kon Knueppel seems to be the most obvious pick here due to his expertise on the three-point shot and if he is able to get off to a strong start he is the most capable of winning this contest.

Although he will be looking to work on his timing and find his rhythm for the first time in this competition, he has been playing like this against other opponents for most of the season. He is also likely to reach the ground early and hit some shots, making him a likely choice to win in his first outing.

Final Prediction: Conn Knueppel (+240)