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Dean Wade Dean Wade (knee) plays 15 minutes in return
Fri, Feb 21, 2025, 3:33 PM
Dean Wade (knee) shot 1-of-2 from the field in Friday's win over the Knicks, tallying two points, two rebounds, and two assists in 15 minutes.
Analysis: Appearing in a game for the first time since January 24, Wade provided limited value. That was expected, given the time missed and Cleveland's frontcourt depth. Something that could raise his ceiling in the short term would be Jarrett Allen having to miss time after injuring his right hand during the third quarter. Wade can be utilized as a small-ball center in certain matchups, which may become necessary. However, that would not make him a must-add player in most fantasy leagues. |
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Darius Garland Darius Garland (head) plays 25 minutes in blowout
Fri, Feb 21, 2025, 3:32 PM
Darius Garland (head) finished Friday's win over the Knicks with nine points (2-of-12 FGs, 4-of-6 FTs), four rebounds, five assists, one steal, and one three-pointer in 25 minutes.
Analysis: Garland had an injury scare during the second quarter of Friday's rout. After being fouled by Karl-Anthony Towns, he fell face-first onto the court. While the Cavaliers point guard wanted to remain in the game after shooting his free throws, he was subbed out to be evaluated further. Garland did return to the game, but he did not play at all in the fourth quarter since the outcome was no longer in doubt. The Cavaliers host Memphis on Sunday; watch for Garland's name on the pregame injury report. |
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Donovan Mitchell Donovan Mitchell drops an easy 27 points in rout
Fri, Feb 21, 2025, 3:28 PM
Donovan Mitchell accounted for 27 points (10-of-15 FGs, 2-of-3 FTs), three rebounds, five assists, one steal, one block, and five three-pointers in 26 minutes in Friday's win over the Knicks.
Analysis: Mitchell and the Cavaliers rolled to one of their most impressive wins of the season, leading the Knicks by as many as 39 points. Spida did his damage during the first three quarters, as there was no need for him to play during the fourth. Over the past month, Mitchell has provided top 20 per-game value in eight- and nine-cat formats, which aligns with his Yahoo ADP (17). While he's been a third-round player for the season in both formats, that has more to do with the Cavaliers' overall excellence than Mitchell's production being subpar. |
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Evan Mobley Evan Mobley records 21/8/4/3/1 line vs. Knicks
Fri, Feb 21, 2025, 3:27 PM
Evan Mobley accumulated 21 points (9-of-11 FGs, 2-of-2 FTs), eight rebounds, four assists, three steals, one block, and one three-pointer in 25 minutes in Friday's rout of the Knicks.
Analysis: It was smooth sailing for Mobley and the Cavaliers on Friday, as they scored 41 first-quarter points and never looked back. While some fantasy managers may be upset that the All-Star forward did not play in the fourth quarter, Mobley provided excellent value when he was on the court. Something to watch in the immediate future is the availability of Jarrett Allen, who exited during the third quarter with a right hand injury. If Allen misses time, Mobley will be the lone big in the starting lineup. Cleveland will conclude its Week 16 slate with a game against the Grizzlies on Sunday. |
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Jarrett Allen Jarrett Allen (hand) will not return Friday
Fri, Feb 21, 2025, 2:51 PM
Danny Cunningham
Jarrett Allen (hand) will not return to Friday's game against the Knicks.
Analysis: Allen suffered an apparent right hand injury during the third quarter of Friday's game. While the severity of the injury was unknown, the good news is that the X-rays were negative. The Cavaliers held a massive lead at the time of Allen's injury, so there was no reason to re-insert him into the game. Evan Mobley will serve as the center if Allen misses time, with De'Andre Hunter and Dean Wade likely playing more minutes. |
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Dean Wade Dean Wade (knee) active Friday vs. New York
Fri, Feb 21, 2025, 12:51 PM
NBA Lineups
Dean Wade (knee) is active for Friday's game against the Knicks.
Analysis: The Cavaliers' depth will be on display Friday night. Wade has been cleared to return from a right knee bruise that has sidelined him since January 24. Max Strus remains in the starting lineup, and the additions of De'Andre Hunter (via trade) and Isaac Okoro (shoulder injury) limit Wade's fantasy upside. |
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Donovan Mitchell Donovan Mitchell leads Cavs with 26 points vs. BKN
Thu, Feb 20, 2025, 4:50 PM
Donovan Mitchell led the Cavaliers with 26 points (8-of-21 FGs, 7-of-10 FTs), five rebounds, two assists, one steal and three three-pointers against the Nets on Thursday.
Analysis: Mitchell didn't shoot the ball well, but he has scored at least 20 points in five straight games, and that streak would be longer if his minutes weren't limited by blowouts. Though Cleveland has taken a leap this season as a team, the same can't be said for Mitchell, whose numbers are down in almost every category. He has still been an elite fantasy option, but he hasn't been able to replicate his top 10 production from last season. The Cavaliers still have two more games this week, with home matchups against the Knicks and Grizzlies on Friday and Sunday. |
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Jarrett Allen Jarrett Allen hauls in 20 rebounds vs. Brooklyn
Thu, Feb 20, 2025, 4:44 PM
Jarrett Allen dominated the paint on Thursday and finished with 16 points (8-of-9 FGs, 0-of-2 FTs), 20 rebounds, one steal and one block in a 110-97 win over the Nets.
Analysis: In Cleveland's final game before the All-Star break, Allen recorded a double-double while missing just one shot attempt. That trend continued in his first game after the break, but he was even better in this one. He only needed 25 minutes on the floor to set a new season-high for rebounds, and he was incredibly efficient as a scoring option. This was the seventh time in Allen's career that he grabbed at least 20 rebounds in a game. He'll continue to be one of the most consistent players in fantasy basketball for the rest of the season. |
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Isaac Okoro Isaac Okoro (shoulder) logs 17 minutes in return
Thu, Feb 20, 2025, 4:37 PM
Isaac Okoro returned to the lineup on Thursday and contributed five points (2-of-4 FGs), one rebound, one assist and one three-pointer against the Nets.
Analysis: Okoro suited up for the first time since January 16 after missing Cleveland's last 14 games with a shoulder injury. He wasn't productive in the box score across his 17 minutes, and he has only played 19.6 minutes per game this season, so he may not see his role increase much moving forward. Okoro is a solid defender off the bench for the Cavs, but he isn't worth rostering in most fantasy formats. |
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Ty Jerome Ty Jerome (calf) available Thursday vs. Nets
Thu, Feb 20, 2025, 12:27 PM
Chris Fedor
Ty Jerome (calf) is available for Thursday's game against the Nets.
Analysis: Jerome is back after missing Cleveland's last game before the All-Star break with a strained right calf. His return means Craig Porter Jr. will likely fall out of the rotation entirely, but he wasn't worth streaming with Jerome sidelined. |
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Isaac Okoro Isaac Okoro (shoulder) available Thursday vs. Nets
Thu, Feb 20, 2025, 12:24 PM
Serena Winters
Isaac Okoro (shoulder) is available for Thursday's game against the Nets.
Analysis: Okoro is back after missing 14 games with a sprained AC joint in his right shoulder. His return gives Kenny Atkinson another option on the wing, which will likely be more impactful on the Cavaliers than on fantasy basketball rosters. With De'Andre Hunter in the fold, Okoro's playing time will likely take a hit, making him difficult to rely on in most fantasy leagues. |
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Dean Wade Dean Wade (knee) to remain out Thursday vs. Nets
Wed, Feb 19, 2025, 12:09 PM
NBA Injury Report
Dean Wade (knee) is out for Thursday's game against the Nets.
Analysis: While Isaac Okoro (shoulder) is considered questionable for the Cavaliers' first game out of the All-Star break, Wade has already been ruled out. He's dealing with a bone bruise in his right knee and has not appeared in a game since January 24. With Max Strus healthy, Wade's absence has not significantly impacted fantasy basketball. |
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Ty Jerome Ty Jerome, Isaac Okoro questionable Thursday
Wed, Feb 19, 2025, 12:05 PM
NBA Injury Report
Ty Jerome (calf) and Isaac Okoro (shoulder) are questionable for Thursday's game against the Nets.
Analysis: While a strained right calf only cost Jerome one game before the All-Star break, Okoro has not played since January 16 with a sprained right AC joint. The former has been more impactful in fantasy basketball despite coming off the bench, while the latter is more valuable to Cleveland for his defensive ability. Craig Porter Jr. may see additional run if Jerome remains out, while De'Andre Hunter and Sam Merrill can continue to absorb the minutes that would have gone to Okoro. |
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Donovan Mitchell Donovan Mitchell, Mobley win Kia Skills Challenge
Sat, Feb 15, 2025, 2:46 PM
Donovan Mitchell and Evan Mobley won the Kia Skills Challenge at All-Star Saturday Night in San Francisco.
Analysis: Mitchell and Mobley represented the Cavaliers well, winning the Kia Skills Challenge to open the Saturday night festivities. Two reasons why Cleveland went into the break with the second-best record in the NBA, Mitchell and Mobley have been top-25 players in nine-cat formats. The lone concern for fantasy managers who have either player rostered would be for Cleveland to maintain its stranglehold on the top spot in the East. That may encourage the Cavaliers to occasionally rest key players before the postseason, which may impact the availability of Mitchell and Mobley during the fantasy playoff weeks. |
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Max Strus Max Strus (ankle) hits four triples in return
Wed, Feb 12, 2025, 4:57 PM
Max Strus (ankle) shot 4-of-11 from the field and 2-of-2 from the foul line in Wednesday's win over the Raptors, accounting for 14 points, five rebounds, six assists, one steal, and four 3-pointers in 26 minutes.
Analysis: Strus returned to the Cavaliers lineup on Wednesday after sitting out Monday's win over Minnesota with a right ankle injury. He didn't have to overextend himself against the Raptors, as Cleveland had the game well in hand by the fourth quarter. Strus' return pushed De'Andre Hunter to the bench, and he finished with 18 points, five rebounds, one steal, and four 3-pointers in 27 minutes. Due to the nature of Cleveland's rotation, there will be room for both players to be reliable fantasy contributors after the All-Star break. |
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Darius Garland Darius Garland dishes out eight assists in win
Wed, Feb 12, 2025, 4:21 PM
Davius Garland tallied 15 points (7-of-15 FGs), two rebounds, eight assists, three steals, and one 3-pointer in 27 minutes in Wednesday's win over the Raptors.
Analysis: Garland's eight assists are the most he's recorded in a game since February 2, when he dished out 10 in a blowout of the Mavericks. He's had at least eight in 17 of his 52 games, three shy of his total for the 2023-24 campaign. Garland's providing third-round value in eight-cat formats, a three-round improvement from a season ago. Garland may not have earned a trip to the All-Star Game, but his improved play is one of the reasons why Cleveland heads into the break with the East's best record. |
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Evan Mobley Evan Mobley records 12/15/5/0/2 line vs. Raptors
Wed, Feb 12, 2025, 4:20 PM
Evan Mobley amassed 12 points (6-of-11 FGs, 0-of-2 FTs), 15 rebounds, five assists, and two blocked shots in 28 minutes in Wednesday's win over the Raptors.
Analysis: While he didn't score much on Wednesday, Mobley provided value in the rebound, assist, and blocked shot categories. Over his last 10 games, the Cavaliers forward has provided fourth-round value in eight-cat formats. That's one round below Mobley's season-long value, as he's in the midst of his best season as a pro. Cleveland's increased emphasis on using Mobley as a focal point offensively has paid dividends, even if he only scored 12 points on Wednesday. |
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Donovan Mitchell Donovan Mitchell leads Cavaliers with 21 points
Wed, Feb 12, 2025, 4:20 PM
Donovan Mitchell finished Wednesday's win over the Raptors with 21 points (6-of-16 FGs, 7-of-8 FTs), six rebounds, five assists, and two 3-pointers in 29 minutes.
Analysis: Seven Cavalier scored at least 12 points in Wednesday's victory, with Mitchell's 21 leading the way. He's scored 20 points or more in nine of his last 10 games, providing top-15 per-game value in eight- and nine-cat formats during this stretch. Mitchell has earned another trip to the All-Star Game, this time as a starter, having led the way for the team with the best record in the Eastern Conference. |
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Max Strus Max Strus (ankle) to start in return Wednesday
Wed, Feb 12, 2025, 12:43 PM
Cleveland Cavaliers
Darius Garland, Donovan Mitchell, Max Strus, Evan Mobley, and Jarrett Allen will start Wednesday's game against the Raptors.
Analysis: Strus is back after sitting out Monday's win over the Timberwolves with an ankle injury. His return means De'Andre Hunter will head to the bench, where he has been more valuable this season, dating back to his time with the Hawks before being traded to Cleveland. |
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Ty Jerome Ty Jerome (calf) out Wednesday vs. Raptors
Wed, Feb 12, 2025, 12:37 PM
Ty Jerome (calf) is out for Wednesday's game against the Raptors.
Analysis: Jerome was initially listed as questionable with a calf injury, but has since been ruled out. Craig Porter Jr. and Sam Merrill could see increased run off the bench with Jerome out Wednesday. |
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