| News |
|---|
Xavier Cooks Khalifa Diop (knee) remains out Saturday vs. Nets
Fri, Oct 23, 2026, 11:08 AM
NBA Injury Report
Khalifa Diop (knee) is out for Saturday's game against the Nets.
Analysis: Diop will remain sidelined for a second consecutive game, but his absence does not significantly impact fantasy basketball. As for the Cavaliers' rotation, they'll likely continue to stagger the minutes of starters Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen to keep one on the floor at all times. |
Mario Hezonja Mario Hezonja scores 10 points in Cavaliers debut
Thu, Oct 22, 2026, 4:32 PM
Mario Hezonja notched 10 points (5-of-13 FGs), three rebounds, two assists, two steals and one block in Thursday's loss to the 76ers.
Analysis: Making his first official NBA appearance since December 2020, Hezonja wasted no time getting up shots. He took 13 shots, matching the combined total of Cleveland's other four reserves, and scored 10 of the team's 18 bench points. Hezonja missed all five of his three-point attempts, but his offensive aggression was encouraging. He isn't a must-add after Thursday, but managers in deep leagues should keep an eye on Hezonja, as his role in Cleveland projects to be important. |
Jarrett Allen Jarrett Allen (knee) plays 28 minutes vs. PHI
Thu, Oct 22, 2026, 4:29 PM
Jarrett Allen (knee) recorded 14 points (6-of-10 FGs, 2-of-4 FTs), seven rebounds and two blocks in Thursday's loss to the 76ers.
Analysis: Allen entered Thursday's season opener with right knee patellar tendinitis, but the veteran center took on his usual role in Philadelphia. He did most of his damage before halftime, scoring 14 points and grabbing five rebounds. After halftime, Allen didn't score and recorded just two rebounds and two blocks. Like many of his teammates who also struggled in the second half, Allen has to be more consistent. Given the fantasy track record, managers should not be concerned after Game 1. |
Evan Mobley Evan Mobley scores 18 points vs. Philadelphia
Thu, Oct 22, 2026, 4:27 PM
Evan Mobley produced 18 points (7-of-13 FGs, 3-of-3 FTs), eight rebounds, two assists and one three-pointer in Thursday's loss to the 76ers.
Analysis: The good news for fantasy managers was that Mobley put up solid percentages and point and rebound totals. The bad news is that he offered no defensive production, and managers have increasingly relied on him for it as his career has progressed. Mobley will have better defensive nights, and Saturday's matchup with the Nets may be more forgiving. |
Peyton Watson Peyton Watson struggles in Cavaliers debut vs. PHI
Thu, Oct 22, 2026, 4:24 PM
Peyton Watson accounted for eight points (2-of-7 FGs, 4-of-4 FTs), one rebound, two assists, two steals and one block in Thursday's loss to the 76ers.
Analysis: Watson's official Cavaliers debut did not go as he likely had planned, as the athletic forward struggled with poor shooting and turnovers. Watson finished with five turnovers, four of them after halftime. The good news for fantasy managers is that this was just one game, and Watson is well-positioned to offer greater fantasy value than he did in Denver. |
Donovan Mitchell Donovan Mitchell drops team-high 32 points
Thu, Oct 22, 2026, 4:22 PM
Donovan Mitchell amassed 32 points (11-of-19 FGs, 8-of-11 FTs), 10 rebounds, three assists, two steals, one block and two three-pointers in Thursday's loss to the 76ers.
Analysis: As with many of his teammates, Mitchell's season-opening game was a tale of two halves. During the first half, he went off for 22 points, shooting 7-of-9 from the field and 6-of-7 from the foul line. After halftime, he shot 4-of-10 from the field, scoring 10 points. The Cavs were outscored 69-37 in the second half, losing a game they led by as much as 29. Mitchell's overall stat line will please fantasy managers, but it could have been even better. |
James Harden James Harden limited to 16 points vs. 76ers
Thu, Oct 22, 2026, 4:19 PM
James Harden tallied 16 points (5-of-12 FGs, 3-of-4 FTs), three rebounds, five assists, one steal and three three-pointers in Thursday's loss to the 76ers.
Analysis: Harden was limited to six points in the first half of Thursday's season opener, then scored 10 after halftime. However, ball control was an issue in the second half, as the Cavaliers' point guard turned the ball over four times. As a team, Cleveland committed 15 turnovers in the second half, which helped them blow a 29-point lead. Harden and the Cavs will look to bounce back on Saturday when they host the Nets. |
|
Jarrett Allen Jarrett Allen (knee) good to go Thursday vs. PHI
Thu, Oct 22, 2026, 12:28 PM
Danny Cunningham
Jarrett Allen (knee) is available for Thursday's game against the 76ers.
Analysis: Listed as questionable on the Cavaliers' initial injury report for Thursday, Allen is good to go. He'll start alongside James Harden, Donovan Mitchell, Peyton Watson and Evan Mobley. |
|
Jarrett Allen Jarrett Allen (knee) says he expects to play Thurs
Thu, Oct 22, 2026, 7:02 AM
Chris Fedor
Cavs reporter Chris Fedor reports that Jarrett Allen says he will play against the 76ers on Thursday.
Analysis: Allen has been dealing with right patellar tendinopathy, but he attended Thursday's shootaround and said that he expects to play. In three matchups with the 76ers last season, Allen averaged 14.7 points, 7.3 rebounds and 2.3 âstocks.â |
|
Xavier Cooks Khalifa Diop (knee) ruled out Thursday vs. PHI
Wed, Oct 21, 2026, 11:16 AM
NBA Injury Report
Khalifa Diop (knee) is out for Thursday's game against the 76ers.
Analysis: Even if the Cavaliers don't have starting center Jarrett Allen (knee), who's questionable on the initial injury report, Diop's continued absence will not affect the frontcourt rotation. At best, the rookie is someone to roster in dynasty leagues. |
|
Jarrett Allen Jarrett Allen (knee) questionable vs. Philadelphia
Wed, Oct 21, 2026, 11:11 AM
NBA Injury Report
Jarrett Allen (knee) is questionable for Thursday's game against the 76ers.
Analysis: Allen is dealing with right patellar tendinopathy, which may keep him out of the Cavaliers' season opener. If he can't play, Evan Mobley would slide into the center position, with Jaylon Tyson a prime candidate to move into the starting lineup. If Tyson starts, he would be worth streaming on a two-game night. |
|
Peyton Watson Peyton Watson tallies 10/4/2/1/2 line vs. Magic
Tue, Oct 13, 2026, 3:47 PM
Peyton Watson posted a full line on Tuesday with 10 points (3-of-7 FGs), four rebounds, two assists, one steal, two blocks and one three-pointer against the Magic.
Analysis: Watson showcased how he'll be able to make an impact in fantasy hoops this season despite likely not being heavily featured on offense. He'll certainly get his opportunities, but is fantasy impact will come through well-rounded production, mostly on the defensive end. He's currently going outside the top 100 in drafts and should be seen as a late-round flier that can step up offensively when Cleveland is dealing with injuries. |
|
Xavier Cooks Meleek Thomas chips in 16 points off bench
Tue, Oct 13, 2026, 3:38 PM
Meleek Thomas provided a boost off the bench with 16 points (6-of-9 FGs), three rebounds, one steal and two three-pointers in a 132-116 loss to the Magic on Tuesday.
Analysis: Following a red-hot summer league stint, Thomas has been able to find more success in the preseason. He only played 13 minutes in this game, but he was able to pour in the points in this one. He shouldn't be on redraft radars, though he may have some solid games if James Harden misses time at any point this season. |
|
Donovan Mitchell Donovan Mitchell puts up 15 points, eight assists
Tue, Oct 13, 2026, 3:32 PM
Donovan Mitchell finished with 15 points (7-of-15 FGs), two rebounds, eight assists and one three-pointer against the Magic on Tuesday.
Analysis: Mitchell played 25 minutes in this exhibition and was able to get off to a hot start, though he didn't have as much success in his limited second-half action. Mitchell did more playmaking in this game as well and should continue to be a solid source of assists this season, though his dimes did drop off after they traded for James Harden. He'll have nine days off before the regular season starts for them in Philadelphia next Thursday. |
|
Evan Mobley Evan Mobley posts 14 points, seven rebounds
Sun, Oct 11, 2026, 3:18 PM
Evan Mobley notched 14 points (3-of-10 FGs, 8-of-9 FTs), seven rebounds, two assists and two blocks in Sunday's exhibition against the Magic.
Analysis: Mobley didn't have the best night shooting the basketball, going 3-of-10 from the field, but there's little to worry about regarding his readiness for the regular season. His current ADP puts the Cavaliers forward/center in the middle of the third round in 12-team formats, and that's a fair spot. The hope is that Mobley and the other Cavaliers will benefit from having James Harden run the point from Day 1 rather than joining the team mid-season. |
|
Mario Hezonja Mario Hezonja posts 13/5/2/2/2 line vs. Orlando
Sun, Oct 11, 2026, 3:15 PM
Mario Hezonja amassed 13 points (5-of-9 FGs, 1-of-1 FTs), five rebounds, two assists, two steals, two blocks and two three-pointers in Sunday's exhibition against the Magic.
Analysis: After six seasons in Europe, Hezonja is back in the NBA, and his build is different from his first stint. The Cavaliers' forward weighs 260 pounds, more than 40 pounds heavier than his previous NBA weight. Against the Magic, Hezonja did a little bit of everything and added value on both ends of the floor. He'll get rotation minutes, but Hezonja isn't a must-draft player in most fantasy leagues. |
|
James Harden James Harden scores 24 points in preseason debut
Sun, Oct 11, 2026, 3:06 PM
James Harden recorded 24 points (7-of-10 FGs, 7-of-9 FTs), four rebounds, two assists, one steal and three three-pointers in Sunday's exhibition against the Magic.
Analysis: Harden made his first appearance of the preseason on Sunday, and the veteran point guard looked sharp. Shooting 70 percent from the field, âThe Beardâ logged 26 minutes in the first three quarters before calling it a night. While Harden's current ADP puts him on the back end of the third round in 12-team leagues, he can offer greater value than that. |
|
Peyton Watson Peyton Watson scores seven points in Cavs debut
Thu, Oct 8, 2026, 3:37 PM
Peyton Watson tallied seven points (2-of-5 FGs, 2-of-2 FTs), four rebounds, four assists, two blocks and one three-pointer in Thursday's exhibition against the Celtics.
Analysis: Watson made his unofficial Cavaliers debut on Thursday, stepping into the starting lineup. He'll keep that role once the games count, making him a much better fantasy option than he was coming off the bench in Denver. Watson isn't a player you need to select in the first 100 picks of standard-league drafts, but managers should have him on their radar shortly after. |
|
Jarrett Allen Jarrett Allen records six points, two steals
Thu, Oct 8, 2026, 3:35 PM
Jarrett Allen notched six points (3-of-5 FGs), four rebounds and two steals in Thursday's exhibition against the Celtics.
Analysis: With frontcourt sidekick Evan Mobley's emergence, Allen's fantasy ceiling has been lower in recent years. However, his floor remains relatively safe, especially with point guard James Harden in the fold for the entire season. Allen logged 17 minutes in Thursday's preseason opener, so there isn't much to be taken from his final stat line. |
|
Evan Mobley Evan Mobley scores eight points vs. Boston
Thu, Oct 8, 2026, 3:34 PM
Yahoo Sports
Evan Mobley recorded eight points (3-of-5 FGs, 2-of-3 FTs), one rebound and one assist in Thursday's exhibition against the Celtics.
Analysis: One year after winning NBA Defensive Player of the Year honors, Mobley's production slipped somewhat in 2025-26. However, he remained a valuable frontcourt option for fantasy managers in any league format. Mobley said before training camp that he's approaching this season with a âchip on his shoulder,â motivated by the conversations that followed the Cavaliers' playoff elimination. If he lives up to those words, fantasy managers who draft Mobley will happily reap the rewards. |
Dialog
Football
Baseball
Basketball
Connect With Us:
