Injuries have forced the Cleveland Cavaliers to lean on new faces early in the 2026-27 season, and a few players have wasted no time turning those extra minutes into real value.
The rotation looked settled before the year began, but 12 games in, that idea has already been blown up. With key absences creating openings, Tyrese Proctor, Meleek Thomas and Mario Hezonja have each stepped into bigger roles and made the most of them.
Proctor has been one of the clearest winners from the shuffle. He has appeared in all but one of Cleveland’s first 12 games, sitting out only the DNP-CD against Minnesota, and he’s looked comfortable from the jump. His shot has been falling, his energy has stayed high, and he has become a dependable part of the nightly mix.
The second-year guard is hitting 48% of his 3-point attempts and has pushed his scoring to just under seven points per game. He has played 20 or more minutes in three straight games, and his defensive workload is starting to grow as well. That confidence showed up in a big way against the Knicks, when he scored a season-high 15 points.
Sam Merrill’s elbow injury created the opening, and Proctor has made it clear he isn’t interested in letting those minutes slip away. Three years in college, plus his time with the Australian National Team this summer, seem to have given him a level of maturity that shows up every time he steps on the floor.
Then there’s Meleek Thomas, who has become a fixture on every Cavaliers list this season for good reason. The rookie has brought a fearless edge to the team, showing up with confidence no matter who’s in front of him. He’s been one of the most valuable pieces on the roster so far, and he’s already looking like a player Cleveland can build around down the line.
Through nine appearances, Thomas is averaging 13 points, three rebounds, two assists and 1.2 steals per game. He’s shooting 48% from the field, 48% from deep and a perfect 4-for-4 at the line. His energy on both ends has helped lift the entire group, and he’s taken on every challenge that has come his way.
The rookie’s performance at MSG stood out, and the confidence he plays with has clearly made an impact inside the locker room and on the floor. Credit goes to Koby Altman here.
And the bigger question is how he fell to the second round. The Jaw stays dropped.
Mario Hezonja hasn’t had the same headline-grabbing night recently, but he’s still been a useful piece for Cleveland. His value has shown up in the little things: rebounding, post play and the kind of energy that can change the tone when he checks in.
Against the Knicks, he played just seven minutes, the first time he didn’t get second-half run. Jaylon Tyson took those minutes instead, and the Croatian forward’s box score from that game doesn’t offer much to point to. Still, over the season, Hezonja has made his presence felt and kept the offense moving when he’s been involved.
Nae’Qwan Tomlin’s back injury opened the door for him, and he stepped right through it. He has also been making shots at a solid rate and has helped keep teammates engaged on possessions where he gets touches. With his contract set to guarantee on Sunday, Cleveland will have him around as a steady forward option for the months ahead.
In Other News...
Cavs Got The Offensive Spark Fans Have Been Waiting For
The Cavaliers finally found the kind of offensive rhythm that has been missing in stretches this season, and it came in a win over the Knicks. James Harden set the tone with 32 points and four assists, while Donovan Mitchell added 23 points and seven rebounds to keep the pressure on New York. Jarrett Allen chipped in 11 points and 14 rebounds, giving Cleveland a steady inside presence, and the overall performance had the feel of a night when the ball moved with purpose and the scoring load was spread more naturally.
Tyrese Proctor also gave the Cavs a useful lift with 15 points, another encouraging sign for a team still sorting out its rotation and looking for reliable secondary scoring. For Cleveland, the bigger question now is whether this was just a strong one-off against the Knicks or the start of a more consistent offensive spark that can carry into the next stretch of games. [Read more 🡒]
Cavs Finally Delivered The Kind Of Response Fans Needed
After a shaky stretch that had started to raise questions, the Cavaliers got the kind of road response they needed at Madison Square Garden, beating the Knicks 115-107 and snapping a two-game losing streak. Clevelands offense found enough rhythm to steady things, and Donovan Mitchell was central to that push with 23 points, seven rebounds and six assists as the Cavs moved back to 6-6.
The bigger takeaway was that Cleveland didnt let the night drift away once New York made it uncomfortable in the fourth quarter. James Hardens season-high 32 points gave the Cavaliers a needed scoring lift, and the win offered a cleaner snapshot of what this group can look like when it has to answer a challenge rather than absorb one. [Read more 🡒]
Cavs Pressure Is Rising Fast But Kenny Atkinson May Not Be The Problem
A 5-6 start has a way of turning up the heat quickly, and the Cavaliers are already feeling it. Kenny Atkinson is the face of the sideline scrutiny, but the early-season frustration has been shaped as much by the roster around him as by anything happening in the coaching box, with the team not getting the kind of lift it expected from key pieces.
James Harden has been part of that conversation, and so has Peyton Watson, whose play has slipped from what he gave last season. When the production from important additions and veterans falls off at the same time, the pressure inevitably rolls uphill, and Atkinsons margin for error may not stay wide for long if Cleveland cannot find some traction soon. [Read more 🡒]