The Cleveland Cavaliers walked into Philadelphia and came away with a gritty, dramatic win - the kind of game that tests a team’s resolve and rewards its belief. It wasn’t always pretty, and it certainly wasn’t easy, but it was the kind of performance that says something about a group still finding its identity in the face of injuries and inconsistency.
Let’s dive into how each key Cavalier contributed to this hard-fought victory:
Donovan Mitchell
13 points, 12 assists, 9 rebounds, 6 turnovers
Mitchell didn’t light up the scoreboard, but don’t let that fool you - he still made his presence felt. With Philly locking in on him defensively early, Mitchell pivoted from scorer to facilitator, dishing out a dozen assists and flirting with a triple-double. It was a mature, unselfish performance from a player who understands how to impact the game even when the shots aren’t falling.
Still, the six turnovers were costly at times and kept this from being a cleaner outing. But his ability to stay patient and find his spots in the second half helped stabilize the offense when it mattered most.
Grade: B
Jaylon Tyson
39 points, 4 assists, 5 rebounds
This was the Jaylon Tyson game. A career-high 39 points on a blistering 13-of-17 from the field - that’s not just efficient, that’s surgical.
Tyson didn’t just score; he scored with purpose, poise, and a rhythm that made it look easy. He’s been flashing this kind of upside all season, but this was a statement performance.
And just when it looked like he might cool off, he delivered the game-winning assist - a composed, decisive play that capped off a monster night. The sophomore continues to play with a confidence that suggests he’s not just a rising star - he might be on the All-Star track sooner than expected.
Grade: A+
Evan Mobley
15 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists, 4 blocks, 1 steal
Mobley’s stat line tells a story of quiet impact. He didn’t dominate offensively, but he made winning plays - none bigger than the final possession, when he slipped behind the defense and slammed home the game-winner. Philly made it tough for him to operate in the paint for most of the night, but Mobley stayed engaged, protected the rim, and found ways to contribute.
Given the absences of Darius Garland and Sam Merrill, you’d like to see Mobley assert himself a bit more, but his defensive presence and clutch finish were crucial.
Grade: B-
Tyrese Proctor
13 points, 2 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 steals (11 minutes)
Proctor didn’t get a ton of run, but he made every minute count. Scoring 13 points on 5-of-8 shooting in just 11 minutes?
That’s seizing the moment. He was aggressive, efficient, and gave the Cavs a spark off the bench.
At this point, he’s making a strong case to leapfrog Lonzo Ball in the rotation.
Grade: A+
Craig Porter Jr.
2 points, 11 assists, 3 rebounds
Porter’s not going to shoot you into a win, but he might pass you into one. He matched his career-high with 11 assists and added a couple of offensive boards for good measure. He’s the kind of guard who understands his role and plays to his strengths - and right now, that’s keeping the offense humming and finding the hot hand.
Grade: B+
De’Andre Hunter
16 points, 4 assists, 3 rebounds, 1 steal, 1 block
This is the version of Hunter the Cavs have been waiting for. Efficient (7-of-13), aggressive, and impactful on both ends.
His fourth-quarter dunk was a momentum-shifter, and his all-around play is starting to trend in the right direction. If he keeps this up, Cleveland’s wing rotation is going to look a lot more dangerous.
Grade: A-
Jarrett Allen
10 points, 7 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal
Allen didn’t bring the same edge we saw from him the last time these two teams met, but he still did the dirty work. He made life tough for Joel Embiid on the glass and held his own defensively. Offensively, though, he left a little on the table - the Cavs could’ve used a bit more assertiveness from their big man.
Grade: B
Nae’Qwan Tomlin
9 points, 5 rebounds
Tomlin brought the energy - no surprise there. He gave Cleveland a jolt with a pair of highlight-reel dunks and was active on the boards. He’s carving out a niche as the team’s momentum guy, and he delivered when the Cavs needed a lift.
Grade: A-
Lonzo Ball
0 points, 3 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal
It’s getting tough to watch. Ball just hasn’t looked like himself this season, and tonight was another rough outing. He struggled to find any rhythm, didn’t contribute much offensively, and at this point, it’s fair to question whether he should still be ahead of the younger guards in the rotation.
Grade: D
Final Thoughts:
This was one of those games that reveals a team’s character. The Cavs were short-handed, on the road, and facing a tough Philly squad - and they still found a way. Tyson’s breakout, Mobley’s clutch finish, and strong contributions from the supporting cast made this one of the more satisfying wins of the season.
It wasn’t perfect, but it was gutsy. And sometimes, that’s all you need.