“This Is Donovan Mitchell’s City Now”: Jaylon Tyson’s Bold Statement Signals a New Era in Cleveland
The Cleveland Cavaliers didn’t just beat the Los Angeles Lakers - they made a statement. And while the scoreboard told one story, it was what happened after the final buzzer that might resonate even louder in Northeast Ohio.
In what could have been LeBron James’ final game at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse, the spotlight naturally leaned toward The King’s legacy. But one of Cleveland’s rising voices, second-year swingman Jaylon Tyson, shifted that spotlight - and he did it with conviction.
“This is Donovan Mitchell’s city now,” Tyson declared in a postgame interview alongside Mitchell. “When [LeBron] comes back here, we’re gonna make sure that everybody roots for [Donovan] like they did for [LeBron].”
That quote didn’t take long to go viral. And while some might’ve seen it as a shot at LeBron, Tyson quickly clarified: this wasn’t about disrespect. It was about recognition.
“There was no disrespect there,” Tyson explained when asked about his comments in the postgame press conference. “I didn’t want to step on anybody’s toes.
That’s one of the greatest players to ever play the game. Obviously, I was a Cavs fan growing up because of him.”
Tyson’s tone was sincere - this wasn’t about rewriting history, it was about honoring the present. “I just wanted to give Don his flowers,” he said.
“That was my biggest goal in it. And if I offended anybody or anybody got mad about it, I’m sorry.
I take personal responsibility. But we want to do the same thing that Bron and them did here.
We want to do that with [Donovan] as our leader.”
That kind of loyalty and belief doesn’t go unnoticed - especially not by Mitchell.
The All-Star guard, who’s taken on the mantle of leadership for this young and hungry Cavs squad, appreciated the gesture but made sure to tip his cap to the man who brought Cleveland its first title in over half a century.
“At the end of the day, [LeBron] laid the foundation,” Mitchell said. “They’ve done a lot for the city, being from here.
Obviously, we want to replicate that. He deserves the energy that he’s got here.
First title in [52] years - that’s not something you overlook.”
Mitchell’s message was clear: respect the past, but don’t be afraid to chase the future. “We’re trying to do it differently,” he said.
“But we’re trying to bring the city another championship. And when you have support like that from your teammates, it means the world.”
Tyson, who’s already building a reputation for his fearless approach - both on the court and in front of the mic - wasn’t trying to stir controversy. He was trying to elevate his guy. And based on how the Cavs dismantled the Lakers, he wasn’t just talking - he was backing it up.
This moment might’ve started as a soundbite, but it could end up being something more. A young player publicly backing his star, a team coalescing around a new identity, and a city beginning to imagine a new chapter in its basketball history.
LeBron James will always be a legend in Cleveland - that’s not up for debate. But if this Cavaliers group has its way, Donovan Mitchell might just be the next name to define a generation.