Cavaliers fall to Celtics 124-113 in preseason action
BY TIM SHIRER
CAVS BEAT WRITER
(CLEVELAND, OH) - The 2025-26 season ended for the Cleveland Cavaliers on May 25 with a 130-93 loss to the New York Knicks who swept the Cavs in the Eastern Conference Finals.
Four and a half months later the Cavs roster looks a little bit different as they took the floor on Thursday night for the first three preseason games. Thursday night the Boston Celtics, who also look a lot different from their team just five months ago as they traded Jaylon Brown to the Philadelphia 76ers.
The summer featured suspense as LeBron James decided where the final destination of his career would be. 24 days later, even though there was widespread speculation that he would sign with the Cavs to finish his career he did not. Instead, he signed with the Sixers, the Cavs then had to move on and build their roster to compete and take the next step to win their second NBA Championship.
Thursday was fans first chance to see new additions like Cavs second round pick (34th overall) guard Meleek Thomas, Mario Hezonja signed as a free agent and Peyton Watson acquired in a trade that shipped Max Struss to the Los Angeles Clippers.
Minus James Harden the starting five was what we will probably see on opening night Jarrett Allen, Evan Mobley, Watson, and Donovan Mitchell. Harden did not suit up.
Ten Cavs took the floor in the first half with the starting five playing just under 17 minutes each (16:46) of the 24 minute half. The Celtics led at the half 71-62. Tyson led the Cavs in scoring with 14 first half points. Nine of the ten Cavs who hit the floor scored. Only Thomas was scoreless in seven minutes.
None of the Cavs starters played in the second half. Through three quarters the Celtics led 99-96 and 15 Cavaliers had taken the floor all had scored. Thomas who went scoreless in the first have scored seven straight points early in the third. Tristan Enaruna and Rashaun Agee each had threes in the quarter.
In the end the Celtics 11 through 13 guys on their roster were better than the Cavs 11 through 17 and came away with the meaningless 124-113.
Tyson led the Cavs in scoring, Enaruna scored 13 in 17 minutes.
The Cavs will be in action next on Sunday at Rocket Arena as they take on the Orlando Magic in their second preseason contest at 6:30 pm.
POSTED 10/08/2026 22:03
Lake County Sentinel
This Space could be yours
Thousands of People Will See it
WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR?
email us for more info at:
Cleveland Cavaliers superstar guard Donovan Mitchell shoots a free throw in the Cavs preseason opener at Rocket Arena on Thursday night. Photo by Tim Shirer