The Cavaliers haven’t exactly opened the 2026-27 season the way they wanted. A blown lead against the Sixers set the tone, and two nights later they nearly replayed the same script against the Nets. Still, the season is young, and this is the part where teams figure things out rather than panic.
One of the clearest bright spots so far has been the energy coming from Cleveland’s bench. The younger pieces on the roster are showing real signs of life, and just as important, they’re showing real chemistry with each other.
Mario Hezonja has been one of the biggest surprises through 96 minutes. He’s flashed serious scoring ability, shown he’s willing to take charge when he sees a mismatch, and even displayed the kind of athletic burst that can change a possession in a hurry. Donovan Mitchell didn’t look thrilled when Hezonja went his own way on one play, but the move worked.
After the Brooklyn game, Hezonja had plenty of praise for Jaylon Tyson, and he didn’t hold back.
“Yeah, yeah that’s my brother. He was great.
He made an impact on the game…he even got hit and I told him to get back up, keep doing what he’s doing on the floor, and that he’s okay. He impacted winning…really happy to share the court with him.”
Hezonja also spoke after the win over the Nets and pointed to how much cleaner things looked for Cleveland’s starters in the third quarter compared with the Philly game. He noted that “it takes time for things to click. There are no excuses on that but we’re…”
That kind of backing from one of the newest players in the room matters. Tyson has had to answer for his role as the seventh man, and after struggling against Philly, he responded with 15 points in 21 minutes against Brooklyn. For a reserve in that spot, production is part of the job description.
The connection between Hezonja and Tyson showed up in game action too. In the second quarter against the Nets, Tyson sent up a lob that was too high, but Hezonja still managed to secure it at the top of his reach and flip it back out in one motion.
Tyson then buried the three. It was a sharp little sequence, and it said plenty about how well the two are reading each other.
Cleveland’s bench production appears likely to come primarily from three players: Sam Merrill, Jaylon Tyson, and Mario Hezonja. Ideally, all three are rolling on the same night, but for now the Cavs will take steady progress wherever they can find it.
Hezonja has looked sharp in both games so far, Tyson answered back against Brooklyn, and the mutual support between them is becoming hard to miss. That bond is clearly there, and it’s giving the Cavaliers something real to build on.
Next up is the Wolves, with tipoff set for 7:00 PM ET at Rocket Arena.
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Cavs May Catch Minnesota Short-Handed In Early Measuring-Stick Test
A promising early-season measuring stick could get a little more complicated for Minnesota, which has placed Anthony Edwards on its injury report with a right knee designation ahead of the matchup with the Cavaliers. Edwards appeared to come out of the previous game against Toronto with something to monitor, though he still played 28 minutes and poured in 26 points, and the rest of the Timberwolves expected starters are projected to be available.
For Cleveland, the timing adds another wrinkle to a game that already carries a bit more weight than your typical November matchup. The Cavaliers are coming in mostly healthy, even with a few players still sidelined, and now they may be facing a Minnesota group that is not quite at full strength, with Donte DiVincenzo still working back from his Achilles injury. [Read more 🡒]
Cavaliers Suddenly Have A New Wrinkle As A Bigger Problem Looms
Jarrett Allen gave the Cavaliers an unexpected little jolt against the Nets, knocking down a three-pointer in Clevelands 125-121 win and finishing with 21 points and eight rebounds. It was the latest sign that Allens game keeps stretching beyond the paint, and Evan Mobley was among those noting how much his shooting has developed as the season has gone on.
There is still a bigger concern hanging over the group, though, and it has less to do with one made jumper than with how the Cavs are getting through games. Cleveland has had trouble closing lately, and with Minnesota next on the schedule, Kenny Atkinsons team will need to show it can keep its legs under it when the possessions get tighter and the fourth quarter gets demanding. [Read more 🡒]
Cavaliers Face A Real Test After That Costly Late-Game Sloppiness
The Cavaliers escaped Brooklyn with a win, but the finish was messy enough to leave a clear lesson hanging over the locker room. Cleveland let a 16-point lead shrink because of poor communication late, a reminder that even a team good enough to keep winning still has to clean up the small stuff before it turns into something bigger.
Minnesota presents the next test, and the matchup will ask plenty of Cleveland on both ends. The Timberwolves have changed the feel of their offense with LaMelo Ball alongside Anthony Edwards, and the Cavaliers will need Peyton Watson to take on the challenge of slowing Edwards while Evan Mobley tries to keep his strong form going against Rudy Gobert and Jaden McDaniels. [Read more 🡒]