A quarter of the way into the 2025-26 NBA season, the Cleveland Cavaliers find themselves in an all-too-familiar place - talented, banged up, and still searching for that next gear. After a 64-win campaign last year that ended in playoff disappointment, expectations were sky-high. But through 21 games, the Cavs have looked more like a team trying to find its footing than one ready to dominate the East.
CBS Sports handed Cleveland a C- in its early-season team grades, and honestly, it’s hard to argue with that assessment. The Cavaliers haven’t been terrible - their 12-9 record puts them seventh in the Eastern Conference and within striking distance of the top - but they also haven’t looked like the well-oiled machine we saw for much of last season.
Injuries have been a major storyline, and not in a “next man up” kind of way. The team’s preferred starting five - Donovan Mitchell, Darius Garland, De’Andre Hunter, Evan Mobley, and Jarrett Allen - has logged just 43 minutes together so far.
That’s not a typo. Forty-three minutes.
For a group that was supposed to anchor one of the most balanced starting units in the league, that lack of continuity is tough to overcome.
And it’s showing.
Even when the starters have been available, the Cavs haven’t exactly lit it up. Offensively, they rank 14th in the league with a 115.7 rating - not bad, but not elite either.
Their shooting numbers have taken a dip, too. A field goal percentage of 48.2% places them 21st in the NBA, a far cry from the efficient, high-powered offense that tore through defenses last season.
To be fair, the team isn’t in full-on panic mode - nor should they be. Despite the injuries and inconsistent play, Cleveland is still very much in the mix.
They’re only 4.5 games out of first place in a crowded Eastern Conference, and the talent on this roster is undeniable. Mitchell remains one of the league’s most explosive scorers.
Garland, when healthy, is a dynamic playmaker. Mobley and Allen still form one of the most versatile frontcourts in the league.
And Hunter has brought a new dimension on the wing with his size and defensive presence.
But the issue isn’t just about who’s hurt - it’s about how the team is executing when they’re not. The crisp ball movement, the defensive rotations, the floor spacing - it’s all been a bit off.
This group hasn’t had the same rhythm or cohesion, and that’s something that goes beyond just injuries. It’s about chemistry, reps, and trust - all things that take time to rebuild when lineups are constantly in flux.
Looking ahead, the Cavaliers will need to weather the storm - and quickly. They’re heading into a stretch where six players are expected to be out, including key rotation pieces. That’s going to test the depth and resolve of this roster.
The good news? There’s still time.
A lot of it. This is a long season, and the Cavs have the kind of core that can flip the switch once they’re healthy.
But for now, they’re stuck in that frustrating middle ground - not bad, but not quite right either.
If Cleveland wants to be taken seriously as a contender come spring, they’ll need more than just good health. They’ll need to rediscover the edge that made them such a force last year. Because right now, the Cavs are playing like a team that’s still trying to figure out who they are - and time, while still on their side, won’t wait forever.