Cavs Corner, Week 25: Core contributions
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They took the NBA by storm. Photo: Jason Miller/Getty Images
The season began with a 15-game winning streak that took the NBA by storm.
- It progressed through signature matchups, a seismic trade, and some of the most electrifying shooting performances in Cavs history.
Why it matters: It was a hell of a regular season. The Cavs' record (64-18) is the franchise's second-best ever, and only the third 60-win season in team history.
Record: (64-18); Last week: (63-16)
Weekly slate: Loss at Indiana (114-112); Win at New York (108-102); Loss vs. Indiana (126-118).
The big picture: It was a bench showcase, as most of the rotation rested for some or all of the season's final week.
- Ironman Jarrett Allen logged less than a minute in the finale to secure the honor of having played in all 82 games.
4️⃣ Season winner: The Core Four.
- Donovan Mitchell's sacrifice and leadership! Darius Garland's return to form! Allen's rock-steadiness! Evan Mobley's emergence as an All-Star and terrifying two-way threat!
- Transcendent stuff all around from the team's most important players.
By the numbers: Mitchell and Garland made the second- and third-most three-pointers in a single Cavs season, respectively.
- And thanks largely to the contributions of Ty Jerome, Sam Merrill and DeAndre Hunter, the Cavs also made the most threes off the bench in NBA history.
🥺 Season Loser: Isaac Okoro.
- In his fifth year, the defensive specialist logged his fewest-ever total minutes and minutes-per-game.
- His counting stats dipped significantly, and after a scorching start (nearly 50% from three over his first 23 games), he shot below 30% for the remainder of the season.
Between the lines: If the Cavs intend to keep Jerome on the roster next year, it'll be at a much higher annual salary. Okoro may be traded to free up cap space.
What we're watching: The NBA Play-in tournament. The Miami Heat play the Chicago Bulls Wednesday (7:30pm/ESPN).
- The winner will face the Atlanta Hawks to determine who plays the Cavs in the first round.
Tune in: Game 1 of that first round will be Sunday, April 20.