Jul 17, 2024 - Sports

NBA 2K25: Cavs' Donovan Mitchell up, Darius Garland down

Troy Smith

A scree grab from the video game NBA 2K25 showing the Cavaliers and Magic Summer League teams. — Let the gaming begin. Photo: David Dow/NBAE via Getty Images

It's NBA 2K25 ratings season, when gamers debate the recently revealed rankings for basketball's signature video game.

The intrigue: The top-ranked team in this year's game, which arrives Sept. 6, is the defending NBA Champion Boston Celtics, followed by the New York Knicks, Indiana Pacers, Dallas Mavericks and Phoenix Suns.

The top-rated players are recent MVPs: the Denver Nuggets' Nikola Jokić and Philadelphia 76ers' Joel Embiid, each with a rating of 98 out of 100.

Zoom in: The Cavaliers are ranked 18th, grouped with other playoff contenders like the Orlando Magic, Sacramento Kings and Miami Heat.

Star guard Donovan Mitchell is the Cavs' highest-rated Cleveland player, with a rating of 93.

Between the lines: Point guard Darius Garland was the only Cavs starter to see his rating drop (to 82) after a disappointing season.

Reality check: The Milwaukee Bucks, Miami Heat, Golden State Warriors and Los Angeles Clippers were four of the five highest-rated teams in last year's game.

Each failed to make the second round of the playoffs in real life.

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NBA 2K25: Cavs' Donovan Mitchell up, Darius Garland down

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