Player Grades: Cavs vs 76ers – Defense leads the way

The Cleveland Cavaliers took care of business against the Philadelphia 76ers.

Grades are based on our usual expectations for each player.

Player of the game

Donovan Mitchell

23 points, 8 assists, 7 rebounds

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Mitchell opened this game with a flurry of scoring to put the Cavs ahead right away. He continued the first half by doing a little bit of everything, dishing 7 assists and grabbing 5 rebounds to go with his 15 points in the opening quarters.

The Cavs have searched for the appropriate balance between Mitchell’s scoring and playmaking to start this season. Tonight looked like the right idea. His shot-making kept Philly on their back foot, and Mitchell made the right reads when the time to pass emerged.

Grade: A

Grades

Evan Mobley

22 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists, 1 block, 1 steal

Mobley looked spry and agile tonight as he helped hold Joel Embiid to a 0-for-9 shooting start. He also cooked Embiid with a mean-jab step before bursting around him to the rim in the third quarter. It was a strong two-way game from Mobley, who held his own as the lone big after Jarrett Allen was ruled out for tonight’s game.

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Picking between Mobley and Mitchell for Player of the Game was splitting hairs.

Grade: A

James Harden

17 points, 6 assists, 3 rebounds

Harden didn’t have it rolling until the game was already out of reach, but he filled his role and bought in defensively to help the Cavs turn that end of the floor into a roaring positive.

Grade: B+

Meleek Thomas

12 points, 1 rebound, 2 assists, 2 steals

Thomas hit two three-pointers in the first half, both sent Rocket Arena into a frenzy. The Cleveland crowd has already fallen in love with the 20-year-old rookie, and I’m giving him a bonus half-grade for holding his own in the post against LeBron James.

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Grade: B+

Peyton Watson

13 points, 9 rebounds, 2 assists

Watson returned tonight after missing the previous two games with a hamstring injury. It took him some time to warm back up, but Watson began to settle into a groove during Cleveland’s run in the third quarter. His downhill drives are something this team hasn’t had at the small forward position, and they…

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Publish date : 2026-11-07 03:28:00

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