Led by superstars Donovan Mitchell and Evan Mobley, the Cleveland Cavaliers are continuing to get healthy and stay competitive in the Eastern Conference.
Cleveland has battled injuries early in the season, but that hasn’t stopped them from having a 9-5 record to begin the 2025-26 campaign, which currently puts them as the three-seed in the East.
Although it’s not the same 15-0 start as last season, the Cavaliers are still one of the top teams in the NBA. So much so that ESPN’s Zach Kram and Kevin Pelton labeled them as a team that is a title contender.
Injuries kept the Cavaliers from reaching their true potential in the playoffs last season as the No. 1 seed in the East. Both Evan Mobley and Darius Garland missed time in the conference semifinals against the Indiana Pacers, resulting in a 4-1 loss in the series.
Despite last season’s disappointing ending, ESPN’s Zach Kram and Kevin Pelton broke down a tier list of all 30 NBA teams, labeling the Cavaliers as a legit title-contending team.
“November hasn’t gone as smoothly as last year for the Cavaliers. So long as Darius Garland can get healthy, Cleveland still stands with New York as the most likely East winners, given track record and full-strength potential.”
Cleveland is in this tier with other notable teams like the Denver Nuggets, Houston Rockets, and the New York Knicks.
In an Eastern Conference that has long-term injuries spread throughout multiple other franchises, the New York Knicks may be Cleveland’s biggest competition for the East.
Hornets’ Brandon Miller progressing toward return from shoulder injury
76ers’ Paul George trends towards comeback in latest injury update
Nuggets’ Christian Braun to miss significant time with ankle injury
Suns provide answers to lack of playing time for Khaman Maluach
Toran Flores is a freelance writer with The Sporting News. Growing up as a huge sports fan, Toran decided to pursue writing in the field he loves most. With a BA in Journalism from the University of Wyoming, he has previously written for FanSided and Athlon Sports.