Player Grades: Cavs vs Bucks

Garland is in peak form.

The Cleveland Cavaliers have seemingly forgotten how to lose a basketball game. Even after forfeiting a double-digit lead, the Cavs took care of business in crunch time for their eighth straight victory.

Grades are given based on our usual expectations for each player.

Donovan Mitchell

14 points (5-15 shooting), 4 assists, 4 rebounds, 2 steals, 4 turnovers

It was Mitchell’s night... until it wasn’t.

Mitchell began the game with his typical scoring burst in the first quarter. He racked up 13 points in the opening minutes, only to score one point the rest of the way. Mitchell had a tough time getting into Milwaukee’s defense with Brook Lopez shutting off the rim. Rather than pressing the issue, Mitchell gave the keys to his running mate — which was the right move, but it won’t help his overall grade. Sorry, Donnie.

Grade: C-

Evan Mobley

17 points (6-15 shooting), 5 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 blocks

I think Mobley put together the best four-minute stretch of his career tonight. Seriously, it was that insane. A mirage of confident drives, coast-to-coast finishes, a three-pointer and breathtaking defense was the full image of Mobley’s stardom snapping into focus.

That picture didn’t last all night. He clanked a few three-pointers and shot below his average from the field. But an acrobatic and-one finish with the game on the line is just another example of Mobley taking the leap before our eyes.

Grade: A

Darius Garland

39 points (15-22 shooting), 8 assists, 2 rebounds

The man of the hour.

It’s a cathartic feeling watching Garland bounce back from his hellish 2023-24 campaign with such authority to start the current season. His 39 points (7-11 three-point shooting) are the most he’s had in a game since 2022. It was his second game of 34+ points this season after doing it just twice all of last year.

Garland’s performance down the stretch was phenomenal. First, he converts a layup over Lopez (who was daring him to finish at the rim), before burying the go-ahead three in the game’s final minute. To top it off, it was Garland who collapsed the defense and sprayed a dime to Jarrett Allen for the dagger.

It’s safe to say it now — DG is back.

Grade: A++

Jarrett Allen

14 points (7-14 shooting), 15 rebounds, 6 assists

Tonight is an example of what makes Allen such a luxury to have. He was hardly noticeable for most of the game, overshadowed by his three co-stars. But when you look at the box score — and you look at his forceful rejection of Damian Lillard in closing time — you realize how impactful Allen can be.

Extra credit for Allen’s six assists tonight. He isn’t as graceful as Nikola Jokic or Domantas Sabonis — but Allen can absolutely carve a defense that underestimates him. He threw a laser from above the break to a cutting Sam Merrill (in for a layup) and that’s something you shouldn’t take for granted from a seven-footer.

Grade: A

Sam Merrill

12 points (5-10 shooting), 5 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals

Merrill torched Milwaukee for 17 points off the bench in their previous meeting. Tonight, the Bucks failed to adjust. Merrill again put up an efficient 12 points — only hitting two three-pointers, but using his gravity to cut backdoor and generate easy opportunities.

Merrill also held his own defensively despite relentless attempts from Milwaukee to target him. He’s not a top-tier defender but Sam isn’t easy to pick on, either.

Grade: A

Georges Niang

9 points (3-6 shooting), 4 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal

We received a rare triple-bang game from Niang. Each one of his threes felt impactful. The Cavs were struggling for offense in the second quarter, registering their lowest scoring period of the season (so far). It was Niang who gave them just a touch of life in the second half with his shooting.

Grade: A

Isaac Okoro

5 points (2-5 shooting), 3 rebounds, 2 assists

Okoro joined the starting lineup in place of Dean Wade tonight. His defense on Lillard was sound, even if Lillard poured in another 36 points in an incredible display of shot-making. Okoro’s ability to cover opposing guards on an island and make them work for each bucket is his greatest strength.

The rest of his game felt lacking. Only five points and three rebounds in 26 minutes is hard to justify. He remained confident, attempting a quick-trigger three in the fourth quarter. But tonight was a reminder of why Okoro isn’t a full-time starter. He’ll receive a positive grade for his defense but this isn’t a great long-term strategy for anyone. Okoro has to be more active on the glass, like in his previous game, if he wants to make a leap.

Grade: B-

Ty Jerome

6 points (4-5 shooting), 1 assist, 2 steals

Jerome just helps this Cavs team. Even if his numbers don’t pop off the page, he consistently gives them good minutes. Whether it’s his uncanny ability to pick pockets and go coast-to-coast or his wonky one-legged floater that somehow always goes in. Jerome has been a huge help to start the season.

Grade: A-

Craig Porter Jr.

1 turnover, 5 minutes

Porter nearly put up zeros across the board if it weren’t for one sole turnover. It was hard to notice him out there tonight. He played a brief stint and really didn’t do much of anything. I don’t know if that’s a good or bad thing — so I’ll give him a slightly below-average grade.

Grade: D+

Luke Travers

1 rebound, 3 fouls, 3 minutes

Last week, Travers put on a show in his NBA debut against the Magic. It felt like he recorded every stat in a matter of just minutes.

Tonight, the only stat he racked up was personal fouls. This was a good ‘old-fashioned “welcome to the NBA” moment for the two-way forward. I think we’ll see better games from Travers in the future.

Grade: F