Cavs Staying Grounded, Focused As National Spotlight Finally Arrives

Cavaliers star Donovan Mitchell took one glance at the oversized pack of reporters gathered around him after Tuesday’s practice and smirked.

“Sheesh,” Mitchell said, his voice carrying a mix of humor and disbelief. “Y’all wasn’t here for Charlotte.”

Classic Mitchell — keeping it light, but the point was made. The Cavaliers, even with their ridiculous 31-4 record, have largely been flying under the radar.

Sure, Boston gets the headlines. Philly’s drama hogs the airtime. Even New York and Miami somehow command more attention. Cleveland? Two national TV games all year (NBA TV doesn’t count).

But that changes Wednesday night.

The Cavs are hosting Oklahoma City in what some have already called a potential Finals preview. No. 1 in the East vs. No. 1 in the West. The NBA’s top offense (Cavs) against its top defense (Thunder). And yes, it’s finally getting the spotlight it deserves, flexed to national TV.

For Mitchell and his teammates, it’s about time.

“How do I say this,” Mitchell began when asked about the lack of attention Cleveland has received. He paused, then leaned in. “I think it’s interesting. I feel like we are a talented group, and there’s a lot of guys here who feel like this recognition should’ve come earlier.”

Mitchell isn’t bitter, though. At least not outwardly.

“I don’t care anymore because, at the end of the day, you’ve just got to prove yourself when it matters,” he said. “We’ve had that conversation a thousand times. Early in my career, I cared about the attention. Now? Whether y’all are here or not, we’ve still got work to do. We haven’t won anything.”

And there it is. For all their early-season dominance — and let’s be clear, the Cavs have been dominant — Mitchell understands what’s really at stake. January isn’t for coronations; it’s for preparation.

Cavs coach Kenny Atkinson echoed that sentiment, albeit in his usual understated style.

“This is fun for the fans, and it’s great for the league,” Atkinson said. “But we’re not treating this like the Finals. It’s another test. We want feedback, see where we are against the best, and build from there.”

Still, it’s hard to ignore the stakes. The Cavs have rattled off 10 straight wins — all by double digits. OKC? They’re riding a 15-game winning streak. This is the first time in NBA history that two teams with such streaks will meet.

It’s also just the second time two teams have started 30-5 or better in the same season. The last time it happened? Lakers vs. Bucks in 1971-72. You might’ve heard — the Lakers won the title that year.

Mitchell knows the significance of Wednesday’s game, but he’s staying grounded.

“You get respect in the playoffs,” he said. “That’s what matters. People remember what you do in spring, not January. This is a great test, but we’re building for something bigger.”

Evan Mobley shared a similar perspective.

“It feels good to finally get some national coverage,” Mobley said. “But it’s not about that. It’s about doing the little things right, sticking to the assignments, and getting better as a team.”

For all the history and hype, Wednesday is still just another step in the Cavs’ journey.

“This is about habits,” Atkinson said. “If you overthink it or try to do too much, you cloud the process. We’ve got to stay true to what’s gotten us here.”

What’s gotten them here is a mix of suffocating defense, relentless offense, and, most importantly, cohesion. Despite their small-market status, the Cavs have built a juggernaut — and the league is finally starting to notice.

Mitchell, though, isn’t holding his breath for validation.

“It’s going to come from wins,” he said. “You keep winning, and everything else will follow.”

Wednesday night? It’s again the perfect stage to prove it.

Cavaliers vs. Thunder

• Time: 7 p.m. EST
• Location: Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse
• TV: ESPN
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