If you’ve watched any of the recent Washington Wizards vs Cavs matchups, you probably noticed something pretty quickly. It’s not just that Cleveland is winning; it’s the way they’re doing it. There’s this massive divide between a team that’s figured out its identity and one that’s basically still searching for the blueprints. Honestly, the most recent game on December 12, 2025, told the whole story. Cleveland walked into D.C. and took a 130-126 win, but even that close score felt a bit misleading.
Donovan Mitchell went absolutely nuclear. 48 points.
He hit eight threes like it was a light shootaround at the park. When a guy is in that kind of rhythm, the Wizards just don't have the defensive personal to stop the bleeding. It’s tough to watch sometimes. Washington has some talent, but they’re playing a different game than the elite teams in the East right now.
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The Mitchell Problem and the Defensive Wall
The biggest issue for Washington whenever they see the Cavaliers on the schedule is the sheer gravity of Cleveland’s backcourt. Donovan Mitchell isn't just a scorer; he's a system. In that December win, he added 4 rebounds and 4 assists to those 48 points, basically controlling every possession that mattered.
The Wizards tried to throw different looks at him. They used CJ McCollum—who has been a bright spot since joining Washington—and even young Alex Sarr, but Mitchell just plays with too much pace.
Then you have the "Twin Towers" problem.
- Evan Mobley is turning into a nightmare for opposing coaches. He had 23 points and 13 boards in that last game.
- Jarrett Allen is just... there. Always. Contesting everything at the rim.
- The defensive rating for Cleveland stays elite because these two cover so much ground.
Washington’s offense relies heavily on guys like Jordan Poole and Kyle Kuzma getting to their spots. But against Mobley and Allen? Those spots don't exist. Poole can have a night where he drops 30, like he did earlier in the 2024-2025 season, but it rarely translates to a win because the Cavs' defense forces the Wizards into "bad" math—long twos and contested jumpers.
That Weird NBA Cup Score Change
Remember the November 7, 2025, game? The one in the Emirates NBA Cup? It was a blowout, 148-114. Or so we thought.
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The NBA actually had to go back and change the score to 148-115 nearly 14 hours after the buzzer. Why? Because the official scorers missed a made free throw by Wizards rookie Tre Johnson. In a normal game, nobody cares about one point in a 30-point loss. But because it was the NBA Cup, where point differential is a massive tiebreaker, it actually mattered. It was a bizarre moment that kinda summed up the Wizards' luck lately. They can't even get their points credited correctly in real-time.
Can the Wizards Actually Close the Gap?
Honestly, looking at the roster, Washington is in a weird spot. They have veterans like CJ McCollum, who dropped 27 in the last loss, but they're also trying to give minutes to guys like Alex Sarr and Tre Johnson. It's a developmental bridge that is currently on fire.
The Cavs, meanwhile, are 15-11 and looking like a lock for the postseason. They have a core that’s been together, they have a superstar in Mitchell, and they have the best defensive frontcourt in the division.
For Washington to keep these games competitive, they need:
- More from the bench. In the December loss, the starters did their job, but the depth wasn't there to hold the lead when Mitchell went on his runs.
- Rim protection. You can't let Evan Mobley shoot 7-17 and still grab 13 rebounds. You just can't.
- Consistent Poole. Jordan Poole is the ultimate wild card. When he's "on," the Wizards can beat anyone. When he's "off," they lose by 30.
Looking Ahead to February 2026
The next time these two face off is February 11, 2026, at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse (which some folks are still calling Rocket Arena). It’s a Black Heritage Celebration night in Cleveland, and the energy is going to be high.
If you’re a betting person, the historical trend is pretty ugly for D.C. Cleveland has won something like 10 straight against them over the last few seasons. The spread is usually huge, and for good reason.
Washington needs Alex Sarr to take a massive leap in the second half of this season if they want to stand a chance against the Allen/Mobley combo. Sarr has the length, but he doesn't have the strength yet. Watching him get backed down by Jarrett Allen is a "welcome to the league" moment every single time.
Future Matchups to Circle
- February 11, 2026: Cleveland vs. Washington (Home)
- April 12, 2026: Cleveland vs. Washington (Home)
The April game could be interesting if Cleveland is resting stars for the playoffs, but usually, these late-season games are just a chance for the Cavs' bench to get some run.
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To get ready for the next matchup, keep an eye on the injury report for Darius Garland. When he and Mitchell are both healthy, the Wizards' perimeter defense basically collapses by the third quarter. If you're attending the February game in Cleveland, get there early for the ceremonies—the Cavs usually do a great job with their theme nights. Also, watch the point spreads; Washington has actually been decent at covering large spreads recently, even when they lose the game outright.