LeBron James visits Cleveland, reviving memories of the Cavs’ 2016 title run.
Donovan Mitchell is leading an injury-hit Cavs team — averaging a career-high 29.5 PPG.
Key absences: Darius Garland (toe), Max Strus (foot); Evan Mobley’s offense has stalled.
Young guard Jaylon Tyson has emerged as a breakout rotation piece.

LeBron James’ visit brings 2016 flashbacks

LeBron James’ return to Cleveland on Wednesday reignites memories of the Cavaliers’ improbable 2016 championship — the franchise’s lone NBA title. That moment remains the benchmark for the city, and James’ visit is a reminder of what Cleveland once was while highlighting how the current roster is still trying to define itself post-LeBron.

Where the 2025-26 Cavs stand

The Cavs (28-20) have shown flashes of excellence but have been hampered by injuries and inconsistency. Donovan Mitchell has carried the scoring load, putting up a career-high 29.5 points per game and leading the league in second-half scoring. He’s also responded to an All-Star snub with consecutive big scoring nights.

Injuries shaping the season

Darius Garland’s availability is the biggest uncertainty. Garland has played just 26 games this season while battling a right toe sprain (after offseason surgery on the left toe). Max Strus remains sidelined recovering from a broken foot and is due for re-evaluation next month. Those absences have forced coach Kenny Atkinson to rely on depth and lineup tweaks.

Rotation and breakout players

Evan Mobley, after an All-Star breakout in 2024-25, has plateaued offensively and is shooting poorly from deep. In contrast, Jaylon Tyson has emerged as a legitimate rotation player, putting up a 39-point performance and staking his claim for expanded minutes. Sam Merrill has been a sharpshooting boost when available, shooting above 45% from three on the season.

Can this group reach 2016 heights?

Matching the 2016 run — which famously overcame a 3-1 deficit against a 73-win Golden State Warriors team — is a tall order. Still, the Cavs have the core components: a top-tier scorer in Mitchell, an ascending defensive anchor in Mobley, a deep coaching staff led by the reigning Coach of the Year, and promising role players.

When healthy, Cleveland projects as a dangerous playoff team in a relatively open Eastern Conference. Much will depend on Garland’s return and whether the supporting cast can sustain high-level play through March and April.

Embedded highlights and game link

Watch the Lakers at Cavaliers game (LeBron’s visit): ESPN / NBA game link.

Watch Jaylon Tyson’s 39-point highlight here: Tyson 39-point highlights.

Bottom line

LeBron James’ trip to Cleveland is both a nostalgic event and a measuring stick. The current Cavaliers are not the 2016 team, but with Donovan Mitchell playing at his peak and injuries beginning to heal, Cleveland still has a realistic window to make a deep playoff push — even if matching 2016’s historic run remains unlikely.

Image Referance: https://www.nba.com/news/cavs-still-seeking-2016-title-magic-10-years-later