The Cleveland Cavaliers opened their preseason with a 124-113 loss to the Boston Celtics, dropping their first game of exhibition play after a night that mixed regular-season-caliber names with plenty of classic preseason chaos.
Donovan Mitchell, Jaylon Tyson, Peyton Watson, Evan Mobley, and Jarrett Allen got the start for Cleveland, while James Harden was out because of ankle soreness. Boston, meanwhile, was missing Jayson Tatum, Derrick White, Peyton Pritchard, Mitchell Robinson, and Paul George.
Watson’s role was one of the night’s early storylines. Cleveland got its first look at what he might look like alongside the team’s other top players, and he began by taking on Mike Conley defensively at the point of attack. That perimeter work figures to matter if he’s going to stick in the starting five.
Boston led 32-29 after the first quarter, helped by 6-of-17 shooting from beyond the arc.
Tyson set the pace for Cleveland in the first half, pouring in 14 points on 6-of-8 shooting. A lot of his damage came on easy finishes at the rim, including a transition look from Craig Porter Jr. that turned into a long touchdown-style pass.
Before the game, Kenny Atkinson said Cleveland’s starters would sit the entire second half, and he followed through. The third quarter began with Mario Hezonja, Tyrese Proctor, Meleek Thomas, Craig Porter, and Thomas Bryant on the floor.
The game had the familiar preseason feel: odd combinations, loose energy, and plenty of threes. But it also had a few moments that stood out for reasons beyond the box score.
Bryant made his presence known right away, sprinting into a deep seal in the paint within his first 10 seconds on the court. That kind of moment was part of the appeal of the night.
The second half offered the most interesting tape. Thomas flashed in a few spots, giving a glimpse of what he might grow into. His on-ball creation is still rough around the edges, but it was fun to watch, and his defensive intensity could put him in the rotation sooner than expected.
Hezonja also settled in after a shaky start to his NBA return. He looked sluggish early, with a turnover and a miss among his first possessions, but then found his footing with a quick burst that included a three-pointer and a downhill dime, giving a clearer picture of what he can bring to Cleveland.
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Cavaliers May Have Found The Wing Help This Roster Needed
The Cavaliers have added another name to the mix on the wing, signing Mario Hezonja to a one-year minimum deal as he looks to make his way back into the NBA after several seasons in Europe. It is a low-risk move, but one that fits neatly into a roster that has been searching for more size, energy and versatility on the perimeter.
Early exhibition play has already given Cleveland something to watch, with Hezonja showing a stronger frame and more burst than he had in his previous NBA run. If that carries over, he could push for a meaningful role and perhaps give the bench a different look than Dean Wade did as a reserve, which would be welcome depth for a team trying to fortify its wings before the season gets rolling. [Read more 🡒]
Donovan Mitchell Just Weighed In On James Hardens Cavs Debate
Donovan Mitchell has no interest in letting James Harden be reduced to a ringless talking point. In a recent take on Hardens place in the game, Mitchell argued that the veteran guard is judged too harshly because he has not won an NBA championship, even though his impact has been felt far beyond the trophy case. Mitchell pointed to Hardens influence, passion and work ethic from their time as teammates with the Cavaliers, adding another voice to a debate that tends to flatten a long, accomplished career.
For Cleveland, the bigger picture is that Hardens return comes at a moment when the conversation around him is still loaded with expectations. He recently agreed to a contract extension after being traded from the LA Clippers, keeping his next chapter tied to a team that now has both a high-profile veteran and a former teammate willing to defend his reputation. Whether the outside discourse changes is another matter, but inside the organization, Mitchell made it clear he sees far more in Harden than the missing championship line. [Read more 🡒]
Tyrese Proctor Just Made Clevelands Guard Battle A Lot More Real
Tyrese Proctor has made the kind of offseason progress that tends to change how a coaching staff views the back end of a rotation. After getting feedback from Cavaliers coach Kenny Atkinson, Proctor leaned into strength training and showed notable physical improvement, a step forward that fits the organizations emphasis on durability and defensive reliability. He has also taken advantage of the chance to learn from Donovan Mitchell and James Harden, which adds a little more intrigue to a camp competition that already had a few moving parts.
Now the guard battle is looking a lot more crowded, with Proctor pushing to join Craig Porter Jr. and Meleek Thomas in the mix for backup minutes. The Cavaliers still appear to be sorting through what they want most from that spot, especially on the defensive end, so there is no clean answer yet. But Proctors growth has made this more than a placeholder competition, and that is exactly the kind of development that can linger deep into the preseason. [Read more 🡒]