Player Grades: Cavs vs Knicks Game 1 – A complete, utter disaster

The Cleveland Cavaliers just had a total meltdown in Madison Square Garden. They did a whole lot of great things before the final seven minutes. That will make it hard to grade, so bear with me here.

All grades are based on our usual expectations for each player.

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Donovan Mitchell

29 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists, 6 steals, 1 block, 4 turnovers

It must feel nice to get away from the wrestling matches that Mitchell had to endure against Toronto and Detroit. Mitchell nestled into a comfortable rhythm against a skilled but less physically imposing defense in New York.

Mitchell was in a groove. He scored 26 points by the third quarter by getting to his spots and pushing the Knicks’ shoddy rim protection to the brink. They had no answer for him once he got to the basket and couldn’t contain him at the point of attack. Mitchell made good reads as a playmaker (for the most part) and also racked up 6 steals in a fantastic three quarters.

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Then the fourth quarter happened.

Mitchell’s process went out the window as the ball stopped moving. He dribbled, or stood in the corner motionless, as the Cavs offense sputtered out of control. He didn’t contribute to their collapse defensively, but he didn’t help either

Grade: F (A- before the 4th)

James Harden

15 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal, 1 block, 6 turnovers

This was a disaster through and through.

Even before the fourth quarter, Harden had started this game on shaky ground with some unbelievably lazy turnovers. A 30-foot pass that was easily picked off by Mitchell Robinson. Another cross-court bomb that went straight out of bounds. And, being loose with the ball at halfcourt and getting ripped for a layup.

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But it only got worse.

Harden was the primary target of New York’s comeback. The Knicks put him in action and scored seemingly every time. Jalen Brunson didn’t even notice he was there. That’s partly because Harden himself didn’t look interested in being there himself.

Grade: F–

Evan Mobley

15 points, 14 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 blocks

Mobley played one hell of a game before the fourth quarter. He took Karl-Anthony Towns out…

Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/player-grades-cavs-vs-knicks-035106625.html

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Publish date : 2026-05-20 03:51:00

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