With stars Donovan Mitchell, Darius Garland, Evan Mobley, and Max Strus all watching from the sidelines and Jarrett Allen sitting after halftime, few gave the depleted Cleveland Cavaliers much of a chance against the full-strength Indiana Pacers on Thursday.
Yet somehow, the undermanned Cleveland squad turned what should have been a routine game into a heart-stopping thriller, ultimately falling just short in a 114-112 nail-biter.
Among the fill-ins who stepped up, DeAndre Hunter emerged as the unexpected hero, showcasing skills that caught the attention of NBA analysts everywhere.
During TNT’s halftime coverage, Hall of Famer Charles Barkley couldn’t contain his enthusiasm for Hunter’s performance and overall fit in today’s league.
“He’s perfect for today’s NBA. Like, today’s NBA, they don’t have big men anymore. Most teams don’t, so you have to be able to guard 3s and 4s and he’s a tough guard. Because he’s enough size to play the 3, enough size to play the 4. […] I’m not sure why the Hawks let him go because I love his game.”
"He's perfect for today's NBA […] I'm not sure why the Hawks let him go" 👀
Chuck is loving De'Andre Hunter's fit on the 1-seeded Cavs 🗣️ pic.twitter.com/jUZAvE0xUP
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) April 11, 2025
Barkley’s assessment hits on what makes Hunter such a valuable piece for Cleveland heading into the postseason.
Since arriving via trade, Hunter has consistently exceeded expectations, posting the best on-off point differential among all Cavaliers starters – a testament to his two-way impact.
What makes Hunter particularly valuable is his versatility on both ends of the floor.
He brings scoring capability from all three levels – at the rim, mid-range, and beyond the arc – while defensively providing the flexibility to guard multiple positions.
This positional adaptability meshes perfectly with Cleveland’s defensive scheme, which relies heavily on switching ball screens to disrupt opposing offenses.
As the playoffs loom just around the corner, Hunter’s emergence couldn’t have come at a better time for a Cleveland Cavaliers team with championship aspirations.
His ability to fill multiple roles might just be the X factor that elevates them in the Eastern Conference hierarchy.
NEXT: Kenny Atkinson Gets Honest About Cavs Resting Players Ahead Of Playoffs
