By Matija Šerić
The regular season of the current NBA campaign has just come to an end. After nearly half a year of basketball and a grueling 82-game schedule, it’s time for the most exciting and important stage – the playoffs. One of the teams expected to finally take a step forward are the Cleveland Cavaliers. The last time they reached the Finals was back in 2018, when they lost 4–0 to the Golden State Warriors. Although powered by LeBron James, they appeared in four consecutive Finals from 2015 to 2018, but since his departure, they have struggled to return to that level. They fell short again last season despite finishing first in the East during the regular season, losing 4–1 in the conference semifinals to an inspired Indiana Pacers.
Mitchell unstoppable
However, there is a growing sense that this could be Cleveland’s year. Both fans and analysts feel it. The Cavaliers secured the fourth seed in the Eastern Conference, finishing with a 51–30 record at the time of writing. The team’s leader and franchise cornerstone is Donovan Mitchell, who averaged 27.9 points (48.3% FG, 36.4% from three), 5.7 assists, 4.5 rebounds, and 1.5 steals in 70 games. Mitchell is a born superstar whose presence elevates his teammates. He is an elite scorer from mid-range and beyond the arc, while his drives create chaos for opposing defenses. A master of the pick-and-roll, he reads the game brilliantly, whether through playmaking or attacking the basket. Naturally, he will need to shine at his brightest in the playoffs.
The Mitchell–Harden duo
He will have the chance to do so thanks to a key trade on February 4. James Harden arrived in Cleveland from the Los Angeles Clippers, while Darius Garland went the other way along with a future second-round pick. While trading a 26-year-old talent like Garland for a player ten years older may have seemed questionable at first, most experts consider it a brilliant move. Cleveland lacked a player of Harden’s caliber in previous playoff runs – someone who brings leadership, experience, and a winning mentality. Garland, despite his talent, didn’t possess that same veteran edge.
In 25 games, Harden has fit in seamlessly, averaging 20.6 points, 7.8 assists, and 5 rebounds. The Mitchell–Harden backcourt duo is capable of overwhelming opponents, especially in crunch time, where they have taken over numerous games in recent weeks.
Bench x-factors – Schröder and Ellis
Another important trade took place on February 1, when Cleveland sent De’Andre Hunter to the Sacramento Kings in exchange for Dennis Schröder and Keon Ellis. Their arrival has significantly strengthened the Cavaliers’ bench.
Schröder averaged 8.2 points, 4.3 assists, and 2.3 rebounds in 29 games. While those numbers may not stand out, his explosiveness, defensive intensity, and ability to push the tempo have been crucial. Ellis, meanwhile, has impressed with his three-point shooting and defensive energy. A strong perimeter defender and excellent interceptor, he brings consistent effort on both ends. In 28 games, he averaged 8.5 points, 1.6 assists, and 1.3 steals.
The Mobley–Allen twin towers
Cleveland’s strength is not only in its backcourt but also in the frontcourt duo of Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen. Together, they form a dominant “Twin Towers” presence in the paint. Their size and physicality give Cleveland an advantage many teams—such as the Los Angeles Lakers or the Dallas Mavericks—currently lack.
Allen excels at rim protection, while Mobley’s versatility allows him to defend multiple positions. Offensively, they complement each other well, with Mobley often acting as a facilitator. Mobley averages 18.3 points, 9.1 rebounds, 3.6 assists, and 1.8 blocks, while Allen contributes 15.4 points, 8.5 rebounds, and 1.8 assists.
The fifth starter
Alongside the core four of Harden, Mitchell, Mobley, and Allen, the fifth starting spot is filled by players like Jaylon Tyson, Sam Merrill, or Dean Wade. Tyson brings energy, versatility, shooting, and defense. Merrill is an elite three-point shooter with excellent off-ball movement and high basketball IQ. Wade offers similar qualities, along with strong rebounding.
High potential
Under the leadership of head coach Kenny Atkinson, Cleveland has the potential to go deep in the playoffs. They rank sixth in offensive rating and assists, ninth in net rating, and fifth in field goal efficiency. Their biggest weakness is chemistry, as Harden and several other players joined only two and a half months ago.
The ultimate test will likely come in a conference semifinal matchup against the Detroit Pistons. If they can get past that hurdle—and avoid injuries—the Cavaliers could very well find themselves back in the NBA Finals.
