This page may contain affiliate links. If you click and sign up, make a deposit, or place a wager, we may earn a commission at no additional cost to you.
Cavaliers' Max Strus: Erupts for 24 off bench in Game 1
Rotowire
Strus ended with 24 points (8-10 FG, 4-6 3Pt, 4-4 FT) and three rebounds in 24 minutes off the bench during Saturday's 126-113 victory over Toronto in Game 1 of the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs.
It was the best performance of Strus' career in a playoff game, topping the 23 points he produced in Game 2 of last season's second-round exit against the Pacers. Strus has delivered more than 20 points in three of his last eight games dating back to March 27 and drained multiple three-pointers in five of those contests, shooting 43.1 percent from beyond the arc during that stretch.
... See More... See Less
Cavaliers' James Harden: Double-double in Game 1 win
Rotowire
Harden chipped in 22 points (8-18 FG, 4-7 3Pt, 2-2 FT), two rebounds, 10 assists and two steals across 33 minutes during Saturday's 126-113 win over Toronto in Game 1 of the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs.
It was the 39th playoff double-double of Harden's career. The veteran guard solidified the Cavaliers' backcourt after being acquired from the Clippers, averaging 20.5 points, 7.7 assists, 4.8 boards, 3.1 threes and 1.3 combined steals and blocks in 26 regular-season games for his new squad, and Harden seems very comfortable playing second fiddle to Donovan Mitchell in the Cleveland offense.
Cavaliers' Donovan Mitchell: Drops 32 points in Game 1 victory
Rotowire
Mitchell supplied 32 points (11-20 FG, 4-7 3Pt, 6-7 FT), four assists, three rebounds and two steals across 31 minutes in Saturday's 126-113 Game 1 win over the Raptors in the first round of the playoffs.
Mitchell turned in an efficient performance en route to a game-high 32 points, scoring 11 in the third quarter to give the Cavaliers a 21-point lead heading into the fourth. The star guard also tied the game-high mark in steals and was one of three Cleveland players to tally two swipes. Mitchell has reached the 30-point threshold in each of his last three appearances and will look to power the Cavaliers to another home win in Game 2 on Monday.
... See More... See Less
Cavaliers' Larry Nance: Won't start Saturday
Rotowire
Nance won't start Saturday's Game 1 against the Raptors.
The Cavaliers held multiple players out for their regular-season finale, opening the door for Nance to enter the starting five. However, the veteran big man will retreat to the second unit Saturday and isn't guaranteed to see the floor.
... See More... See Less
Cavaliers' Jaylon Tyson: Not starting Game 1
Rotowire
Tyson won't start Saturday's Game 1 against the Raptors.
Tyson started each of Cleveland's final two regular-season games due to multiple key contributors being sidelined, but he'll retreat to the second unit for the start of the playoffs. The second-year forward averaged 10.3 points, 4.3 rebounds and 1.5 assists across 23.2 minutes per contest in 24 regular-season outings off the bench.
... See More... See Less
Cavaliers' Nae'Qwan Tomlin: Back to bench for Game 1
Rotowire
Tomlin is not in Cleveland's starting lineup against Toronto for Game 1 on Saturday.
Tomlin made his third start of the 2025-26 campaign during this past Sunday's regular-season finale against the Wizards, when he played 36 minutes and finished with a career-high 26 points along with eight rebounds and five assists in a 130-117 win. Tomlin will return to a bench role for Game 1, though it's unclear how much playing time he'll see given that rotations tend to tighten up in the playoffs.
... See More... See Less
Cavaliers' Max Strus: Won't start Saturday
Rotowire
Strus won't start Saturday's Game 1 against the Raptors.
Strus got the starting nod in Cleveland's final two regular-season games with multiple key contributors out, though he'll slide to the second unit for the start of the playoffs. Over seven regular-season appearances off the bench, he averaged 11.9 points, 5.9 rebounds and 2.0 assists in 23.6 minutes per tilt.
... See More... See Less
Cavaliers' Craig Porter: Coming off bench for Game 1
Rotowire
Porter is not in the Cavaliers' starting lineup for Game 1 against the Raptors on Saturday.
Porter started the Cavaliers' regular-season finale against the Wizards this past Sunday, when he played 28 minutes and finished with seven points, seven rebounds, four assists and one block in a 130-117 win. He'll revert to a bench role for Game 1 while the Cavaliers roll with a starting five of Donovan Mitchell, James Harden, Evan Mobley, Jarrett Allen and Dean Wade.
Ellis (knee) is off the injury report for Game 1 on Saturday versus the Raptors.
Ellis is all set for the start of the playoffs following a one-game absence in Cleveland's regular-season finale. The swingman should play a key role defensively, as he averaged 8.3 points, 2.8 rebounds, 1.6 assists and 1.3 steals in 24.8 minutes per contest over 29 games since joining the Cavaliers ahead of the trade deadline.
... See More... See Less
Cavaliers' Dean Wade: Off injury report for Saturday
Rotowire
Wade (ankle) isn't listed on the injury report for Saturday's Game 1 against the Raptors.
Wade was one of several key contributors who sat out Cleveland's regular-season finale, but he's set to return for the start of the playoffs. He averaged 5.7 points, 4.2 rebounds and 1.2 assists in 21.0 minutes per tilt over his final 10 regular-season appearances (all starts).
... See More... See Less
Cavaliers' Sam Merrill: Cleared from injury report
Rotowire
Merrill (hamstring) is off the injury report for Game 1 on Saturday versus Toronto.
The Cavaliers held Merrill out of their final two outings of the regular season, but they've cleared him for the start of the playoffs. The sharpshooter started a career-high 38 games in 2025-26, ending the regular season with averages of 12.8 points, 2.6 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 3.0 three-pointers while shooting 42.1 percent from deep in 26.5 minutes per contest over 52 games.
... See More... See Less
Cavaliers' Dennis Schroder: Not listed on injury report
Rotowire
Schroder (rest) isn't listed on the injury report for Saturday's Game 1 against the Raptors.
Schroder will return to action for the start of the playoffs after sitting out Cleveland's regular-season finale. The veteran point guard averaged 10.4 points, 5.4 assists and 2.4 rebounds in 20.0 minutes per contest across five regular-season outings (one start) in April.
... See More... See Less
Cavaliers' Jarrett Allen: Fades injury report
Rotowire
Allen (knee) isn't listed on the injury report for Saturday's Game 1 against the Raptors.
Allen sat out the final two games of the regular season due to right knee injury maintenance, though he'll return for the start of the playoffs. In three regular-season appearances in April, the big man averaged 15.0 points, 10.0 rebounds, 1.3 steals and 0.7 blocks across 26.0 minutes per showing.
... See More... See Less
Cavaliers' Thomas Bryant: Ruled out for Saturday
Rotowire
Bryant (calf) has been ruled out for Saturday's Game 1 against Toronto.
After missing Cleveland's final four regular-season outings with a left calf strain, Bryant will remain on the shelf for the first game of the playoffs. However, his absence shouldn't affect the rotation.
... See More... See Less
Cavaliers' Evan Mobley: Off injury report
Rotowire
Mobley (calf) isn't listed on the injury report for Saturday's Game 1 against the Raptors.
Mobley sat out Cleveland's regular-season finale due to left calf injury management, though he'll return for the start of the playoffs. The big man recorded four double-doubles in his final seven regular-season outings, during which he averaged 18.7 points, 10.3 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 1.0 blocks across 28.1 minutes per contest.
Cavaliers' Donovan Mitchell: Not listed on injury report
Rotowire
Mitchell (ankle) isn't listed on the injury report for Saturday's Game 1 against the Raptors.
Mitchell sat out Cleveland's final two regular-season games due to right ankle injury management, though he's set to return for Game 1 of the opening round of the playoffs. The star guard averaged 26.0 points, 5.1 rebounds, 4.3 assists and 1.0 steals in 33.4 minutes per game over his final 10 regular-season appearances.
... See More... See Less
Cavaliers' James Harden: Ready for Game 1
Rotowire
Harden (rest) is off the injury report for Game 1 on Saturday versus Toronto.
Harden sat out Sunday's regular-season finale against Washington, but he's ready to roll for the start of the playoffs. After joining the Cavaliers ahead of the trade deadline, the star guard averaged 20.5 points, 7.7 assists and 4.8 rebounds in 33.8 minutes per contest over 26 games.
1:00
12:36
1:54
1:41
1:07
10:06
1:56
12:18
1:03
0:57
1:46
1:11
1:36
1:01
1:56
6:57
1:26
1:03
1:20
8:53
