All eyes were on Peyton Watson in his Cavaliers preseason debut, and the newcomer gave Cleveland a promising first look in a 124-113 loss to the Boston Celtics on Thursday night at Rocket Arena.
Watson, acquired in a five-team trade from Denver that helped make Cleveland’s offseason a success despite a failed LeBron James pursuit, is expected to lift the Cavs’ ceiling on both ends. Early in camp, teammates and coaches have already pointed to his energy, activity, athleticism and versatility, and he showed plenty of that against a Celtics group missing several regulars.
“He’s a dynamic player,” Cavs coach Kenny Atkinson said of Watson. “I want to see him in the short roll.
I want to see him not just floating on the perimeter. I want to see him rebound and push the ball.
Then cutting and offensive rebounding. He’s an active offensive player.
He’s not just a spot-up guy.”
Starting at small forward in place of departed Dean Wade, Watson finished with seven points, four rebounds, four assists and two blocks in 17 minutes. He shot 2 of 5 from the field and 1 of 4 from 3-point range. Like the other starters, he sat out the second half.
Third-year forward Jaylon Tyson filled in for injured James Harden, who was out with ankle soreness, and led Cleveland with 14 points on 6 of 8 shooting. Tyson added three rebounds and two assists in 17 minutes as he looks to build on his breakout sophomore season.
Donovan Mitchell also made his mark efficiently, scoring 11 points with three assists while wearing a Jo Adell jersey in support of the Guardians during the final two quarters. Evan Mobley added eight points.
Boston, despite being without Jayson Tatum, Derrick White, Paul George, Payton Pritchard, Sam Hauser, Neemias Queta and free agency addition Mitchell Robinson, still had enough firepower to win. The Celtics got five players into double figures, led by Luka Garza’s 22 points.
Atkinson continued sorting through lineups and combinations, beginning to mix in reserves midway through the first quarter and leaning heavily on non-regulars after halftime. Cleveland’s bench gave the game a jolt with a 12-3 run to open the third quarter and trim the deficit to three heading into the fourth, but Boston pulled away late and outscored the Cavs 25-17 in the final period.
Cleveland kept most of its roster intact after reaching the conference finals for the first time since 2018, with Watson, Mario Hezonja and rookie second-rounder Meleek Thomas as the only additions. The Cavaliers are banking on chemistry and continuity, and there’s real hope Watson can become a difference-maker on the wing.
It’s still early, but Thursday offered a strong opening note.
The Cavs host the Orlando Magic in their second preseason game Sunday night at 6:30 p.m. on ESPN.
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