Tristan Enaruna didn’t wait long to put his name in front of Cavaliers fans.
In Cleveland’s first preseason game of the year Thursday against the Boston Celtics, the two-way wing made a real impression in 17 minutes and gave the Cavs a glimpse of why he’s worth watching heading into the 2026-27 season. He scored 13 points, shooting 5-for-7 from the field and 2-for-3 from 3-point range.
Enaruna is entering his second season with Cleveland after going undrafted out of Cleveland State, and he had appeared in just nine games for the Cavs last season. Against Boston, he looked comfortable and productive right away, using the minutes Kenny Atkinson gave him to make a strong early statement.
There’s still a crowded path in front of him. Enaruna plays the wing, and that room is loaded, which means he’ll have to earn every inch if he wants a spot in the regular-season rotation. Peyton Watson, Jaylon Tyson and Mario Hezonja all turned in impressive performances against the Celtics too, making the competition even tighter.
Even so, Enaruna showed more than just scoring. He registered one steal, but his impact on defense went beyond the box score thanks to his 6-foot-8, 220-pound frame. If he does crack the rotation, it’s likely to be because his defense forces the issue.
He also brings a more polished shot than he did a year ago. Enaruna won the 2025-26 G League Most Improved Player award for the Cleveland Charge after averaging 20.3 points on 54.8 percent shooting, along with 5.6 rebounds and 1.2 steals. His three-point percentage jumped to 37.2 percent in 2025-26, up from 29.2 percent the season before.
That matters for a Cavaliers team that may need help on the perimeter. With Max Strus now with the Clippers, Sam Merrill is the main shooter, and Cleveland will be looking for someone to help fill that void.
For one night at least, Enaruna made it clear he belongs in the conversation.
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