DONOVAN MITCHELL CAST a swift glance at the post-game statistics sheet, then observed his surroundings in the Cleveland Cavaliers’ changing room.
“Hey, James,” he hailed his fresh co-star.
This occurred on February 24th, shortly after the Cavaliers secured one of their most impressive victories of the current season – a 109-94 triumph over the New York Knicks, marking a significant encounter between the two squads initially favored to lead the Eastern Conference.
Cleveland had lost its initial two encounters with New York this season during two prominent matchups – the inaugural game and Christmas Day – even though Mitchell had accumulated over 30 points and maintained an identical 12-of-25 shooting percentage from the floor in both.
During this particular evening, which was the first face-off between the two teams since Cleveland had reshaped its lineup at the trade deadline, Mitchell managed a 5-for-18 shooting performance, concluding with 23 points … and the Cavaliers emerged victorious.
While Mitchell reviewed the summary, a different figure captured his attention: 14. This represented the total free throws he had attempted throughout the contest.
“I’ll gladly accept your free throws, seeing as you’re not getting any,” Mitchell shouted to Harden from across the changing area. “I hardly ever receive 14 of those myself.”
Harden concluded the game with 20 points, shooting 8-of-18, yet he couldn’t reach the charity stripe. This marked only the third occasion in the last two campaigns where Harden concluded a game without a single free-throw attempt.
“Heck, one of us ought to,” Harden uttered, shaking his head. “Provided one of us is successful.”
The inception of this partnership between Cleveland’s guard pairing could not have transpired more smoothly – nor arrived at a more crucial juncture.
The Cavaliers secured victories in six of their initial seven contests following the trade cutoff, a period during which they dispatched 26-year-old former All-Star Darius Garland to the LA Clippers in return for the 36-year-old Harden. Mitchell recognized this as a decisive, ‘go-for-broke’ maneuver essential for the squad to seize its opportunity for a title.
THE CAVALIERS STOOD out as one of the most proactive and assertive franchises in the league by the deadline, dealing away their significant acquisition from the previous year’s deadline, De’Andre Hunter, and from the offseason, Lonzo Ball – in addition to Garland, who had been struggling with ailments throughout the entire season – through a series of transactions that introduced Dennis Schroder, Keon Ellis, and Harden, aiming to bolster a roster deficient in reserves.
Both Mitchell and Harden have accumulated a multitude of achievements during their NBA tenures – including multiple All-Star selections, All-NBA honors, and, for Harden, an MVP trophy. However, postseason triumphs in primary roles have escaped them. Harden’s sole appearance in the NBA Finals occurred during his third professional season in 2012. Mitchell, meanwhile, has yet to advance to the conference finals.
“These are two individuals eager to advance to the subsequent stage,” stated Cavaliers coach Kenny Atkinson last week. “They’ve genuinely clicked. It’s been entirely smooth, truly. Both are extremely fervent about basketball. They’re both dedicated to the sport.”
“Typically, when such a harmonious dynamic exists, things progress favorably. With this duo, I haven’t observed any friction or instances of ‘You ought to have gone there.’ They’ve maintained strong focus both during play and off-court interactions. The situation couldn’t have improved further up to this point.”
Atkinson mentioned that Harden’s incorporation has alleviated pressure on Mitchell, who had been shouldering the burden of the team’s health setbacks and erratic performance earlier in the current campaign. Mitchell’s 32.8 usage rate this season represents his peak since the 2019-20 season, his concluding year with the Utah Jazz, and places him fifth across the NBA.
During his post-game press conference following the victory over the Knicks, Mitchell referenced Cleveland’s prior match against New York, held on Christmas Day, as an indicator of the squad’s progression.
The Cavaliers appeared quite unlike the pre-season championship hopefuls they were projected to be, struggling at the outset with a record merely slightly above .500 (17-15) after squandering a 20-point advantage against the Knicks.
Subsequently, the Cavaliers have achieved a 21-9 standing, marking the third-finest record in the NBA during that interval, thereby reversing what seemed destined to be a calamitous sequel to their 64-victory regular season in 2024-25, a campaign that had already concluded disappointingly with a second-round elimination against the Indiana Pacers.
The conclusion of the previous season represented merely the most recent postseason letdown in Mitchell’s tenure. Confronting the prospect of yet another dispiriting campaign, the Cavaliers sought out a player well-known for his personal playoff struggles.
The Cavaliers’ recent impressive run has been hampered by two key player ailments. Mitchell has been sidelined for the last three contests due to a groin issue, and Harden sustained a fractured right thumb just last week. Mitchell’s status is considered day-to-day, and Atkinson conveyed that the squad has no apprehension about the injury persisting indefinitely.
Harden made his comeback on Sunday subsequent to missing two games, and Atkinson conceded that Harden was clearly not operating at full capacity, yet the squad required his presence. He has been sporting a bandage around his thumb, and Atkinson indicated on Friday that the renowned guard was still encountering difficulty utilizing his hand for dribbling and catching without experiencing unease.
Nonetheless, even with a fractured thumb, Harden has converted a team riddled with uncertainties into one that provides solutions – for the present moment, at least. The Cavaliers have previously attributed playoff eliminations to injuries, but this season, they were resolute in not squandering another chance at what they perceived as a prime opportunity for a championship.
“Occasionally, when alterations occur, you tend to discern immediately if they won’t succeed,” Atkinson shared with ESPN. “This particular shift has imbued us with such reinvigorated enthusiasm.”
TO FIND MOTIVATION ON how to persevere through an extended season, Atkinson looked towards baseball.
Certain personnel from the Cleveland Guardians came to the Cavaliers’ complex for a practice session in mid-December, amidst one of the squad’s most challenging periods of the campaign. It was at that juncture that Atkinson discovered the trials the Guardians had faced during the preceding season.
After participating in the American League Championship Series in 2024, the Guardians commenced the subsequent season with heightened hopes. However, the club suffered a 10-game losing streak, dipping below a .500 winning percentage prior to the All-Star recess, and subsequently lost nine out of ten contests during another dismal period in August.
Nevertheless, the Guardians recuperated, concluding with a 24-8 run to secure the AL Central title and re-enter the postseason. Within the establishment, Atkinson absorbed their accounts.
“What sustained you through that challenge?” he inquired.
Jose Ramirez, the Guardians’ celebrated third baseman, they responded. He had maintained the team’s composure during the difficult phases. A realization then struck Atkinson. “That embodies Donovan Mitchell,” he mused internally.
“It is exceptionally vital that your premier athlete does not deviate,” Atkinson articulated.
“Donovan
was instrumental in that. He’s an optimistic individual. He guided us appropriately. To me, if your leader begins to waver, to second-guess, then difficulties arise.”
To emerge from their initial season downturn, the Cavs convened group discussions. They arranged exclusive player video analyses. They organized communal meals. Blunt discussions, commonplaces regarding an extended campaign, and diverse strategies.
“We were articulating appropriate statements,” Cavs guard Sam Merrill told ESPN. “But for some reason, [we] struggled to consistently implement it during games.” Cleveland also was frequently understaffed. Max Strus, who served primarily as a first-string player for the majority of the last two seasons, has remained inactive so far this season. Garland missed the commencement of the season after undergoing an operation on his toe and was sporadically featured in the team roster following his comeback.
In turn, Mitchell assumed a greater share of the responsibility. Beyond his average of 28.5 points (seventh in the NBA), he began orchestrating more offensive plays. The Cavs observed the strain the increased duties began to impose on their star player.
After suffering a defeat against the Knicks on Christmas Day and a substantial 17-point deficit to the Rockets two days later, the Cavs faced the risk of dropping to an even win-loss record prior to securing a triumph over the San Antonio Spurs on Dec. 29. Merrill said uniting to achieve a victory in that game was perceived as a pivotal point in their recovery.
“Don’s kind of the representative of our current situation and he’s also the most outspoken,” Merrill said. “He’s the guy that despite our numerous injuries and early-season difficulties, he was kind of the sole stable factor. He was performing excellently on the court and I feel like had it not been for his presence, our predicament would have been considerably more dire.”
Yet, individuals familiar with Mitchell’s views told ESPN the Cavs’ star wished for the team to take action rather than remain passive during the trade period. Cleveland started scrutinizing its team composition and commenced a detailed examination for a way to enhance its prospects of triumphing in what the squad still considered a highly competitive and accessible conference.
“I refer to it as the ‘five whys’ approach,” Atkinson said. “One must inquire into the underlying reasons repeatedly. This involves delving profoundly into all actions being undertaken.”
The solution they identified was to part ways with Garland, who was their fifth overall selection in 2019 prior to witnessing his development into an All-Star caliber player, both before Mitchell arrived and then alongside his new partner in the backcourt. The two, along with bigs Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley, were designated as the squad’s foundational quartet as the team’s prospects began to solidify in Cleveland.
Then a toe injury impeded Garland during the playoffs last season, and the injury persisted into the current season.
Garland participated in 26 matches for the Cavs prior to the transaction, and he has been absent from competitive play since Jan. 14. Notwithstanding the triumphs during the regular season of the core four, including securing the top position in the East last season, the Cavs have failed to progress beyond the playoff’s second stage since the 2017-18 team, led by LeBron James, reached the NBA Championship series.
Physical ailments have played a role in the past, and the team has relied on health as an explanation for previous setbacks. But the Cavs were unwilling to gamble on that aspect this season.
INTRODUCING JAMES HARDEN, a player whose durability and resilience are as integral to his renown as his playmaking skills and offensive prowess. In the past three seasons, Harden has participated in 202 contests, surpassing Garland’s total by 44.
“He is active. He was absent neither from games nor from training sessions,” said Milwaukee Bucks coach Doc Rivers, who coached Harden with the Philadelphia 76ers in 2022-23.
The inclusion of Harden has infused a top-tier pick-and-roll specialist into the Cavs’ offense. According to GeniusIQ, Harden’s teams have registered an average of 1.068 points per direct screen play when he controls the ball in that period, while Garland is at 1.004 for his career.
“We’ve periodically encountered difficulties with our offensive execution in crucial late-game moments and he’s excelled at calming the team, positioning us effectively, and generating scoring opportunities from those situations,” Merrill said. “He consistently maintains offensive command.”
And it hasn’t taken long for Harden’s capacity for creating plays to swiftly influence Cleveland’s bigs, particularly Allen. In the eight games Allen has competed alongside Harden, he has achieved a double-double performance in six of them. He also contributed 20 points in Sunday’s 106-102 triumph against the Brooklyn Nets. According to ESPN Research, Harden has facilitated 17 successful field goals for Allen, the fourth highest among all passer-scorer duos in the NBA in that span.
“We’re good,” Harden said when evaluating the entire squad last week. “But we still have room for further improvement.”
Allen’s rise to prominence commenced actually a few days prior to Harden joining — he posted averages of 22.3 points and 11.5 rebounds with 74% accuracy in 11 games last month — but, mirroring the team’s overall trajectory, Harden has merely hastened the positive outcomes.
“The self-assurance has been restored,” Allen said. “When such significant transformations occur, your perspective alters. You have greater self-belief. … I’m just discovering my stride. Teammates are delivering passes, Kenny is devising strategies for me, everything is simply aligning.”
And for the whole squad as well.
Even after suffering a defeat against the Detroit Pistons last Friday in the absence of Mitchell and Harden, Mobley expressed assurance regarding how the Cavs could compete effectively against them in the playoffs.
“I feel like we’re among the premier teams,” Mobley said. “Truthfully, they will have to contend with us.”
Harden’s presence signifies a commitment to the Cavs’ current standing, as profoundly as they wish it to impact their future.
Mitchell, 29, has a single assured season remaining on a three-year contract valued at $150 million with an athlete’s choice for the 2027-28 campaign.
“As a whole, we are exceptionally cohesive,” Atkinson said. “Management, executive team, lead player. It’s uncommon to find such alignment. Divisions can emerge in those relationships. ‘Hey, maintain the current trajectory.’
“I cannot recall the precise moment. We simply had an intuitive understanding. … And then it was like, well, what possibilities are available?”
The available option was a player who had been selected to the All-Star team eleven times. And their commitment to him has already started yielding favorable returns.
The Cavs are now endeavoring to ascertain if this trend will persist.
“It’s consistently challenging to witness the approach of the trade cutoff because it transcends the sport of basketball for our group,” Allen said last week. “It exceeds merely striving to achieve the ultimate objective with the most skilled athletes on the floor. You prefer to accomplish it alongside individuals with whom you have developed and shared experiences. But simultaneously, integrating such caliber players introduces a degree of exigency because this is one of those pivotal, high-stakes decisions.”