Key Player Emerges As Cavs’ Late-Game Alpha

The Cleveland Cavaliers want to be the sort of team that others fear until the very last second of every game.

To make that happen, they need certain players who can create last-minute buzzer-beaters and triumphant, heroic shots.

Writing for Bleacher Report, Greg Swartz talked about who can be that alpha player for Cleveland: Donovan Mitchell.

“The Cleveland Cavaliers have a trio of options to go to for a late-game bucket, especially if Evan Mobley continues to grow his offensive game. We’ve seen Darius Garland show no fear in the moment, although Donovan Mitchell remains the team’s alpha. One of only seven players to average seven points or more in the fourth quarter last season, Mitchell is one of the rare players who can hit a step-back three, dunk over defenders in traffic and anything in between. He plays with a calmness even when things get rocky, able to settle himself and his team down before coming up with game-winning baskets,” Swartz wrote.

Swartz is right: Mitchell is a versatile player who can score in multiple ways.

Whether it be a three-pointer, a drive to the basket, or a dunk over his opponents, Mitchell has a way of getting it done.

This is great for Cleveland, but they would love to rely on more than just him.

Ideally, Darius Garland will remain healthy next season because he can also produce points like this, especially in the closing seconds of a game.

That’s why he was in the running for Clutch Player of the Year in 2024-25.

But the Cavaliers would also like to see Evan Mobley improve his offensive skill set so he can play like that.

Recent stories and footage of Mobley in the offseason prove that he is attempting to up his game and bring more offense.

So, the Cavaliers might have three stars competing to be their alpha next season.