Cavs Surge into All-Star Break Behind Harden’s Arrival, Allen’s Dominance, and a Rejuvenated Roster
CLEVELAND - Don’t look now, but the Cavaliers are rolling. At 34-21 heading into the All-Star break, Cleveland has quietly become one of the NBA’s hottest teams. Since the calendar flipped to 2026, they’re 15-5 - tied with the surging Pistons for the best record in the league during that stretch - and they’ve won 10 of their last 11.
It’s been a dramatic turnaround for a team that was hovering just above .500 at 17-16 back in late December. The key?
It’s not just the splashy additions of James Harden, Dennis Schroder, and Keon Ellis. The momentum actually started before the trades, as the Cavs went 13-5 in the lead-up to those moves.
And now, with four straight wins since the new additions arrived, Cleveland looks like a team that’s finally found its identity.
Leadership, Health, and a Gritty Turnaround
Head coach Kenny Atkinson credits the turnaround to a mix of improved health and steady leadership from stars Donovan Mitchell and Evan Mobley. “We got healthier and we also embraced the struggle of not playing well,” Atkinson said.
“Guys like Don and Evan kept everyone even-keel. Eventually, I knew we’d come out of it.”
Even before the roster shake-up, Atkinson and his staff had begun to make key adjustments. Rookie Jaylon Tyson was given more offensive responsibility, and young players like Craig Porter Jr. and Nae’Qwan Tomlin saw increased minutes. That trio, along with veteran big man Thomas Bryant, brought a new energy to the rotation, especially on the defensive end.
Jarrett Allen: The Cavs’ Anchor
If there’s one player who’s personified Cleveland’s midseason surge, it’s Jarrett Allen. After battling through early-season finger injuries, Allen has looked like a man on a mission - and a dominant one at that.
With Mobley sidelined for the last seven games due to a calf injury, Allen has stepped up in a big way, averaging 21.6 points, 10.9 rebounds, and shooting a staggering 76% from the field during that stretch. The Cavs are 6-1 in those games.
“He’s like a completely different person,” Atkinson said. “Since Evan went out, I believe J.A. has been the best center in the league.
This is the best we’ve seen him since I’ve been here.” The team’s been calling him “Wilt,” a nod to Hall of Famer Wilt Chamberlain - and with numbers like these, it’s not hard to see why.
Cleveland is now 9-4 this season without Mobley, and in those 13 games, Allen has averaged 19 points and 9.3 rebounds. For all the noise around possibly trading Allen, it’s hard to overstate his value - especially when Mobley is out. At 6-foot-10, Allen is the Cavs’ only other true starting-caliber big, and he’s proving just how essential he is.
Atkinson also noted the importance of getting Allen more involved early in games and hinted at staggering his minutes with Mobley to maximize their individual impact.
The Sam Merrill Effect
Another unsung hero in Cleveland’s rise? Sam Merrill.
The team is 22-9 when he plays and just 12-12 when he doesn’t. He’s more than just a sharpshooter - though his three-point stroke is elite.
Merrill is a connector on the floor, a smart, gritty defender who keeps the ball moving and makes the right play. “Just having him on the floor helps everyone,” Atkinson said.
New Faces, New Energy
The trades have added fuel to the fire. Out are Lonzo Ball and De’Andre Hunter - both of whom had struggled to make a consistent impact.
In are Schroder and Ellis, two players known for their defensive intensity and relentless motor. Atkinson has blended them into a second unit alongside Tomlin and Porter Jr., creating a scrappy, high-energy group that gives opposing benches fits.
Schroder, in particular, brings a level of toughness and poise that the Cavs sorely missed in last year’s playoffs. His ability to handle pressure and push the pace has already made a difference.
The Harden Factor
And then there’s James Harden. The 36-year-old future Hall of Famer may not be the scoring machine he once was, but he’s showing just how valuable his experience and basketball IQ can be. In just three games with the Cavs - all wins - Harden has played the role of steady playmaker and floor general to perfection.
“He makes the game easy for everyone else,” Atkinson said. “We haven’t even had a real practice with him yet, but he’s already helping the guys. It takes a great player to do that.”
Harden’s impact has been immediate. In Sacramento, he dropped 14 points in the fourth quarter to spark a comeback win.
In Denver, he posted 22 points, 10 rebounds, and seven assists - and even helped protect the paint late in the game. Against Washington, he took just four shots but dished out 11 assists, feeding a red-hot Merrill and dominating the game without dominating the ball.
“I love basketball,” Harden said. “We have shooting.
We have athletic bigs. We have a head honcho in Don.
We have great coaching. We all know why I’m here.
If it means me taking only four shots to win the game, I’ll do it.”
This isn’t about padding stats for Harden. It’s about winning - and finally chasing that elusive championship ring. He’s been to the Finals once (2012), the Conference Finals twice, and now, in what may be his last real shot, he’s all in.
A Shared Sense of Urgency
Mitchell sees it too. “He sees the game at a different level,” he said of Harden.
“He’s helping to coach on the bench. Ownership has been aggressive.
In the locker room, we understand the belief they have in us. We just have to go out and do it.
The time is now.”
There’s also a contract angle to all this. Harden’s deal for next season includes $42 million, but only $13 million is guaranteed.
A deep playoff run - or a title - could go a long way in securing his future. And as Mitchell pointed out, “This could be the last chance for James to get a ring.
We all know that.”
The Road Ahead
The Cavs are peaking at the right time. With a healthy Allen anchoring the paint, Harden orchestrating the offense, and a supporting cast that’s buying in on both ends of the floor, Cleveland has the pieces to make noise in the East.
They’re deeper, tougher, and more connected than they’ve been in years. And with the All-Star break here, the Cavs aren’t just a feel-good story - they’re a real threat.