Dribbles: Cavs battle back, discover rookie spark along the way

October 26, 2026

CLEVELAND — Random dribbles from the Cavaliers’ 127-125 overtime win over the visiting Minnesota Timberwolves on Monday night.

1. I’ll admit it. I didn’t think the Cavs were going to win this game. Not when they trailed by 15 points. Not when they looked sluggish and a step slow. Not even when they started making their comeback. Turns out, they had other ideas.

2. In fact, the writer sitting next to me on press row asked late in the game if I thought the Cavs would win. They were only down four at the time. My answer? Nope. Didn’t see it happening. So, yeah, shows what I know after 20 years of this job.

3. But this was the type of win the Cavs needed. Not necessarily because it was pretty. It wasn’t. But because they had to fight for it. They had to make plays. They had to overcome some things. Most importantly, they had to finish the job.

4. These are the same Cavs who blew a 29-point lead in Philadelphia, then nearly surrendered a 22-point advantage against Brooklyn. So naturally, they decided to try things from the other side. Hey, whatever works.

5. Minnesota came in unbeaten and looked every bit the part early. Anthony Edwards was fantastic, LaMelo Ball gave the Cavs trouble, and the Timberwolves seemed to have considerably more energy despite playing the second night of a back-to-back. The Cavs, meanwhile, looked as if they were still trying to wake up.

6. Then something changed. Actually, several things changed. James Harden started making plays. Donovan Mitchell did what Donovan Mitchell does. Evan Mobley knocked down some big shots. Peyton Watson came up with a defensive gem. It wasn’t one guy saving the day. It was a bunch of guys doing a bunch of important things.

7. That’s what impressed me most. Not everyone played great. Not everyone was even particularly good for long stretches. But just about everyone who contributed seemed to make a winning play when the Cavs desperately needed one. Sometimes, that’s the difference between a good team and a frustrating one.

8. Let’s talk about Harden. He struggled early, and the offense seemed to struggle with him. But he was terrific during a third-quarter stretch that helped the Cavs erase their deficit. His baseline runner with 10.4 seconds left in regulation tied the game and eventually helped send it to overtime. Those are the plays you need from a veteran who’s been around the block a few times.

9. Mitchell finished with 26 points, including some really difficult baskets down the stretch. His fadeaway jumper in OT was another reminder that when the Cavs need someone to create a shot, he’s still the guy I’d trust most. There’s a reason he’s the face of this franchise.

10. Then there’s Watson. Edwards scored 47 points and was darn near unstoppable. But Watson’s block from behind on Edwards near the end of regulation was enormous. That’s the type of defensive play that can get overlooked when everyone is busy talking about who scored what. Trust me, the Cavs didn’t overlook it.

11. Mobley deserves some love, too. He finished with 18 points and knocked down four 3-pointers. He also kept a crucial late possession alive by tipping a missed Mitchell shot to Harden, who converted the tying basket. Another winning play. See what I mean?

12. Now, about Meleek Thomas. Wow. Just wow. Sixteen points in 19 minutes in his NBA debut. And I don’t think the numbers even begin to explain what this kid brought to the game.

13. Thomas checked in midway through the first quarter, knocked down his first shot and immediately got Rocket Arena going. The Cavs had been looking a little lifeless. Suddenly, they had a rookie running around with energy, confidence and absolutely no fear. You could feel the difference in the building.

14. I asked Thomas afterward what it felt like to check into an NBA game for the first time. His answer? “It was a dream come true and I owe it all to my Lord and savior Jesus Christ.” Clearly, Thomas seemed to appreciate every second of the experience.

15. He was also asked if he expected to play this well in his debut. Thomas didn’t hesitate. “One hundred percent,” he said. Not an ounce of doubt. He also said having future Hall of Famers such as Mitchell and Harden helping him along “means the world to me.”

16. Thomas was a second-round pick, taken 34th overall. The Cavs believed he should’ve gone in the first round, and Monday gave us a glimpse of why. I’m not about to declare him the next great thing after one game. But I will say this: The Cavs could use some fire, some edge and some youthful enthusiasm. Thomas sure looks capable of bringing all three.

17. Coach Kenny Atkinson said afterward that inserting Thomas was a gut feeling. “I thought, ‘We need that guy in the lineup,'” Atkinson said. Well, the coach was right. The kid gave them exactly what they needed, and probably a little more. Sometimes coaching is about recognizing who’s ready to help, regardless of his age or experience.

18. Atkinson also talked about all the big plays the Cavs made. He’s right. Think about everything that had to happen for them to win this one. The Harden baskets. Mitchell’s shot-making. Mobley’s tip. Watson’s block. The late defensive stops. None of those plays alone won the game. Together, they absolutely did.

19. I realize it’s only three games, and the Cavs still have a lot to figure out. Their offense can be clunky. Their energy comes and goes. There are still stretches when they don’t look anything like the contender they’re supposed to be. But Monday was a reminder that the talent and toughness are there.

20. There are 79 games to go, and I suspect we’ll see plenty more nights that test our patience. But after a shaky start to the season, the Cavs showed something against a very good Minnesota team. They showed they can get knocked around, fall behind and still find a way. That’s something worth feeling good about.