| News |
|---|
|
Dennis Schroder Dennis Schröder chips in 11/4/7/1/1 off bench
Sun, Feb 22, 2026, 9:58 AM
Dennis Schröder posted a full line on Sunday with 11 points (3-of-9 FGs), four rebounds, seven assists, one steal, one block and one three-pointer against the Thunder.
Analysis: Schröder hasn't provided much fantasy production this season, especially since he was traded to Cleveland, but he was able to contribute a solid boost off the bench in this game. While he is still capable of being productive in fantasy hoops, the opportunity isn't there for him with both Donovan Mitchell and James Harden healthy. Schroder is still rostered in 19 percent of Yahoo! leagues, but he should be left on the waiver wire despite a decent performance in this game. |
|
Sam Merrill Sam Merrill scores 20 points, starts second half
Sun, Feb 22, 2026, 9:55 AM
Sam Merrill started the second half on Sunday and contributed 20 points (7-of-12 FGs), three rebounds and six three-pointers against the Thunder.
Analysis: Merrill started the second half of this game in place of Dean Wade, and the choice was a strong one. After scoring nine points in the first half, he had eight more in the first three minutes of the third quarter. Unfortunately, he only hit one more triple over the course of the rest of the game. This was likely a hot-hand situation, so Merrill should return to playing a role off the bench in Tuesday's game against the Knicks. |
|
James Harden James Harden posts 20/5/9/1/1 line vs. Thunder
Sun, Feb 22, 2026, 9:53 AM
James Harden led the Cavaliers with 20 points (8-of-14 FGs), five rebounds, nine assists, one steal, one block, three three-pointers and five turnovers in a 121-113 loss to the Thunder on Sunday.
Analysis: This was the first loss of the Harden era in Cleveland, but he was still able to turn in a strong performance as one of three Cavs to finish with 20 points. His counting stats have gone down since the trade from the Clippers, but he has been far more efficient, which has allowed him to maintain second-round value in nine-category leagues. They have four games next week, starting against the Knicks on Tuesday. |
|
Evan Mobley Evan Mobley (calf) removed from injury report
Sat, Feb 21, 2026, 11:08 AM
NBA Injury Report
Evan Mobley (calf) is not on the injury report for Sunday's game against the Thunder.
Analysis: Mobley is back after sitting out Friday's win over the Hornets, which was Cleveland's second game in as many nights. His return will bump Sam Merrill to the bench, which limits the sharpshooter's fantasy value. |
|
James Harden James Harden posts 18 points, eight assists
Fri, Feb 20, 2026, 4:08 PM
James Harden amassed 18 points (6-of-14 FGs, 4-of-4 FTs), four rebounds, eight assists, one steal and two three-pointers in Friday's win over the Hornets.
Analysis: The Cavaliers have now won their last seven games, five of which were played after the team acquired Harden. While he hasn't had any explosive offensive performances, The Beard's presence has opened things up for his new teammates, most notably Donovan Mitchell and Jarrett Allen. Over the past two weeks, Harden has been a top-20 player in eight- and nine-cat formats, which aligns with his season-long value. |
|
Jarrett Allen Jarrett Allen posts 26 points, 14 rebounds
Fri, Feb 20, 2026, 4:07 PM
Jarrett Allen accounted for 26 points (11-of-15 FGs, 4-of-5 FTs), 14 rebounds, two assists and one blocked shot in Friday's win over the Hornets.
Analysis: Allen has been one of the biggest beneficiaries of the James Harden trade, as he's been fed the ball consistently. Of course, only one of the five games played since the trade included Allen and Evan Mobley in the lineup, but the former still recorded a double-double in Thursday's win over the Nets. He put up an even more impressive double-double against the Cavaliers on Friday. Over the past two weeks, Allen has been a top-25 player in nine-cat formats. |
|
Donovan Mitchell Donovan Mitchell drops team-high 32 points
Fri, Feb 20, 2026, 4:07 PM
Donovan Mitchell tallied 32 points (9-of-22 FGs, 12-of-13 FTs), three rebounds, four assists, two steals and two three-pointers in Friday's win over the Hornets.
Analysis: In the five games the Cavaliers have played since acquiring James Harden, Mitchell has scored at least 30 points in four. The exception was Thursday's blowout win over the Nets, a game in which he played 21 minutes. There's still a lot of basketball to be played, but the early returns for the Cavaliers have been excellent. Mitchell and those who have him rostered in fantasy leagues continue to reap the rewards from the most notable trade made by an Eastern Conference contender at the deadline. |
|
Sam Merrill CLE starts Harden, Mitchell, Merrill, Wade, Allen
Fri, Feb 20, 2026, 12:31 PM
Cleveland Cavaliers
James Harden, Donovan Mitchell, Sam Merrill, Dean Wade and Jarrett Allen will start Friday's game against the Hornets.
Analysis: Friday's game is the second in as many nights for the Cavaliers, so Evan Mobley (calf) sits for injury management reasons. He'll be replaced in the lineup by Merrill, who can offer points and three-pointers in what should be a high-scoring game. |
|
Evan Mobley Evan Mobley (calf) out Friday vs. Charlotte
Fri, Feb 20, 2026, 8:28 AM
NBA Injury Report
Evan Mobley (calf) is out for Friday's matchup with the Hornets.
Analysis: Mobley logged 19 minutes on Thursday, returning to the court after nearly a month on the shelf. It's not surprising that he'll sit out the second leg of Cleveland's back-to-back set due to left calf injury management. Mobley's absence should mean additional run for Jaylon Tyson, who warrants streaming consideration in most fantasy leagues. |
|
Evan Mobley Evan Mobley (calf) plays 19 minutes in return
Thu, Feb 19, 2026, 3:27 PM
Evan Mobley (calf) accounted for 10 points (5-of-9 FGs), nine rebounds, two assists and one blocked shot in Thursday's win over the Nets.
Analysis: Mobley was back on the court for the first time since January 26. The combination of his restriction and the blowout limited him to 19 minutes, which was good news for the Cavaliers. Jaylon Tyson moved to the bench, finishing with 11 points, five rebounds, two assists, one block and one three-pointer in 23 minutes. Given the time off, fantasy managers should consider Mobley questionable for Friday's game in Charlotte. If he sits, Tyson may return to the starting lineup. |
|
Jarrett Allen Jarrett Allen posts 15/10/1/1/2 line vs. Brooklyn
Thu, Feb 19, 2026, 3:27 PM
Jarrett Allen amassed 15 points (5-of-8 FGs, 5-of-10 FTs), 10 rebounds, one assist, one steal and two blocks in Thursday's win over the Nets.
Analysis: For the first time since the Cavaliers acquired James Harden, both of their talented post players were in the starting lineup. The good news for Allen managers is that Evan Mobley's return didn't keep the center from recording a double-double with three âstocks.â The sample size is just one game against an overmatched opponent, but it bodes well for those hoping to get consistent value from Allen in the fantasy playoffs. |
|
James Harden James Harden records nine assists vs. Brooklyn
Thu, Feb 19, 2026, 3:26 PM
James Harden tallied 16 points (6-of-8 FGs, 1-of-2 FTs), five rebounds, nine assists, three steals and three three-pointers in Thursday's win over the Nets.
Analysis: Harden played 28 minutes on Thursday, the most of any Cavaliers' starter in the 112-84 victory. The good news for fantasy managers is that he was still productive in those minutes, shooting 75 percent from the field and producing quality numbers in the assist and steal categories. Dennis Schröder played 20 minutes off the bench, finishing with 12 points, three rebounds, three assists, one steal and one three-pointer. |
|
Donovan Mitchell Donovan Mitchell scores 17 points in blowout win
Thu, Feb 19, 2026, 3:26 PM
Donovan Mitchell finished Thursday's win over the Nets with 17 points (7-of-12 FGs, 1-of-1 FTs), three rebounds, five assists and two three-pointers.
Analysis: Mitchell and the Cavaliers jumped out to a huge lead and never looked back, affecting the playing time of the team's starters. Mitchell logged 21 minutes, with James Harden being the only starter to surpass 25. While fantasy managers may be disappointed by the lack of playing time, that should not be an issue for Friday's game against the Hornets. |
|
Evan Mobley CLE: Mobley, Allen, Harden, Donovan, Wade to start
Thu, Feb 19, 2026, 12:30 PM
Serena Winters
Evan Mobley, Donovan Mitchell, James Harden, Jarrett Allen and Dean Wade will start against the Nets on Thursday.
Analysis: Mobley will return from a calf injury to log his first minutes alongside the newly-acquired James Harden. Jarrett Allen has thrived in Harden's three games since arriving via trade, so it'll be interesting to see if Mobley's return changes things. Regardless, the Cavs will look to secure a sixth-straight win on Thursday. |
|
Dean Wade Dean Wade (ankle) removed from injury report
Wed, Feb 18, 2026, 12:06 PM
NBA Injury Report
Dean Wade (ankle) is off the injury report for Thursday's game against the Nets.
Analysis: Wade is back after missing Cleveland's final three games before the All-Star break. However, his return coincides with that of Evan Mobley (calf), so there may not be enough minutes available for Wade to affect fantasy basketball. Fantasy managers can afford to leave Wade on the waiver wire. |
|
Evan Mobley Evan Mobley (calf) removed from injury report
Wed, Feb 18, 2026, 11:44 AM
NBA Injury Report
Evan Mobley (calf) is not on the injury report for Thursday's game against the Nets.
Analysis: Mobley is good to make his first appearance since straining his calf during a January 26 win over the Magic. While he isn't guaranteed to start immediately due to a potential minutes restriction, Mobley's return likely means Jaylon Tyson and Sam Merrill will lose some playing time. |
|
Sam Merrill Sam Merrill goes off for career-high 32 points
Wed, Feb 11, 2026, 3:30 PM
Cavs Notes
Sam Merrill accumulated 32 points (11-of-12 FGs, 1-of-1 FTs), four rebounds, one assist, one steal, one block and nine three-pointers in Wednesday's win over the Wizards.
Analysis: Merrill put on a shooting clinic in the first half of Wednesday's game, with the 26 points being the most he's scored in a half in his NBA career. The sharpshooter knocked down two more triples in the second half, finishing with new highs in points (32) and three-pointers (nine). With Evan Mobley (calf) expected back after the All-Star break, Merrill or Jaylon Tyson (7/5/1/1) will be asked to come off the bench. For Merrill, he's still capable of offering reliable fantasy value to those needing three-point production. |
|
James Harden James Harden drops 11 assists in Cavs home debut
Wed, Feb 11, 2026, 3:30 PM
James Harden amassed 13 points (1-of-4 FGs, 10-of-12 FTs), four rebounds, 11 assists, one steal and one three-pointer in Wednesday's win over the Wizards.
Analysis: Playing in front of the Cavaliers faithful as a member of the team for the first time, Harden took a back seat as a scorer on Wednesday. He focused more on setting up his teammates, leading to 11 assists. Through three games in Cleveland, The Beard has accumulated 26 assists. He was responsible for six turnovers, but Harden totaled five in his first two appearances. The Cavaliers complete Week 17 with three games after the All-Star break. |
|
Jarrett Allen Jarrett Allen posts 21 points, nine rebounds
Wed, Feb 11, 2026, 3:30 PM
Jarrett Allen finished Wednesday's win over the Wizards with 21 points (8-of-8 FGs, 5-of-6 FTs), nine rebounds, one assist and two blocks.
Analysis: Allen has scored at least 21 points in each of the last three games, which aligns with the acquisition of James Harden. The two have established immediate chemistry, which has raised Allen's fantasy ceiling in the short term. The question now is what happens when Evan Mobley (calf) returns, which is expected to happen on February 19 against the Nets. |
|
Donovan Mitchell Donovan Mitchell scores 30 points vs. Washington
Wed, Feb 11, 2026, 3:29 PM
Donovan Mitchell tallied 30 points (11-of-19 FGs, 6-of-6 FTs), three rebounds, five assists, two steals and two three-pointers in Wednesday's win over the Wizards.
Analysis: Mitchell notched his 27th 30-point game of the season on Wednesday, taking advantage of an overmatched Wizards squad. Since the Cavaliers added James Harden to the fold, Spida has scored at least 30 points in all three games, and Cleveland is 3-0. After the All-Star break, Mitchell and company play three more games to end Week 17, starting with the Nets on February 19. |
Connect With Us:
