If you were looking for the Cleveland Cavs stats tonight, you might have noticed something odd. The schedule is empty. After a grueling stretch through mid-January, the Wine and Gold actually have a breather this Sunday night, January 18, 2026.
But don't let the lack of a fresh box score fool you. Honestly, looking at where this team stands right now—coming off that wild 117-115 win against the Sixers on Friday—tells a much bigger story than just one night of basketball. They're sitting at 24-19, and the numbers behind that record are kind of mind-bending if you actually dig into them.
The Jaylon Tyson Leap is Officially Real
We need to talk about what happened in Philadelphia. Jaylon Tyson went absolutely nuclear. Usually, when we check for Cavs leaders, we expect to see Donovan Mitchell or maybe Darius Garland (when he's healthy) at the top of the sheet. Not this time.
Tyson dropped a career-high 39 points.
He wasn't just "hot." He was 13-of-17 from the floor. That is essentially a 76% shooting night while taking high-volume shots. He hit seven triples. When a young wing starts looking that comfortable creating his own shot from deep, the entire ceiling of the franchise changes. Basically, the Cavs found a diamond in the rough who is currently outperforming veteran starters across the league.
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Why the Advanced Metrics Matter More Than the Score
If you look at the raw season stats, the Cavs are putting up 120 points per game. That’s good for 6th in the league. But the defense? That's where things get shaky.
They are giving up 117.4 points a night.
That razor-thin margin is why so many of their games, like the recent one in Philly, come down to the final possession. Evan Mobley is still a monster on the glass and the defensive end—averaging nearly 2 blocks and 8.6 boards—but the perimeter defense has been a revolving door lately.
- Net Rating: Currently hovering around +2.6.
- Pace: They’re playing fast, 6th in the NBA at 101.3 possessions.
- Three-Point Shooting: They take a lot (6th in attempts) but hit them at a league-average 35.9%.
It’s a high-variance style of play. Some nights, like Tyson’s 39-point outburst, they look like title contenders. Other nights, like the 123-112 loss to the Jazz last week, they look like a team that forgets how to close out on shooters.
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Injuries Are Tightening the Rotation
You’ve probably noticed the bench looks a little different. Darius Garland has been dealing with that hand sprain, which shifted more playmaking duties onto Donovan Mitchell and even Craig Porter Jr.
Porter Jr. actually stepped up big time in the last outing, dishing 11 assists. He’s not a scoring threat like Garland, obviously, but he keeps the ball moving. It’s sort of impressive how the Cavs have stayed five games over .500 despite the constant shuffling of the backcourt.
Jarrett Allen remains the most consistent human being on the planet. 10 points, 7 boards, and zero missed assignments. He’s shooting nearly 60% on the season. He doesn't need the ball, he doesn't complain, he just anchors the paint while the guards fly around.
What to Watch for Monday Against OKC
Since there are no Cleveland Cavs stats tonight, all eyes move to tomorrow, Monday, January 19. They’re back at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse to face the Oklahoma City Thunder.
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This is a massive test. OKC is one of the few teams that plays faster and more efficiently than Cleveland. If the Cavs want to move up from that 6th seed in the East, they have to prove they can beat the elite young teams in the West.
Keep an eye on the injury report tomorrow morning. If Garland is still out, expect Tyson to get another heavy workload. The kid has the "green light" now, and honestly, he's earned it.
Key Takeaways for Cavs Fans
- Monitor the Defensive Glass: When Mobley and Allen get outworked on the boards, the Cavs almost always lose.
- Tyson's Usage: See if the coaching staff actually draws up plays for Jaylon Tyson early, or if Friday was just a "zone" moment.
- Turnover Control: They’re 9th in turnover percentage, which is surprisingly good for a team that plays this fast. Keeping that under 13% is the key to beating OKC.
Watch the morning shootaround reports for updates on the "Probable" status of the backcourt. The Monday tip-off is scheduled for a late afternoon start, so make sure your lineups are set early if you're playing fantasy.