Player Grades: Cavs vs Hornets – Darius Garland’s season-high isn’t enough

CLEVELAND — The Cleveland Cavaliers continue to pile on the frustration. They lost to the Charlotte Hornets today.

All grades are based on our usual expectations for each player.

Donovan Mitchell

17 points, 7 assists, 2 rebounds

Mitchell carried the Cavs to victory on Friday night with a heroic 46 points. He wasn’t able to muster up that same energy tonight. This wasn’t a horrible game from Mitchell, but the Cavs have needed superhuman performances from him to win lately. Shooting 6-24 won’t cut it.

Grade: D+

Jaylon Tyson

16 points, 1 assist, 13 rebounds

Tyson was a difference maker tonight. He notched his third double-double of the season. It shouldn’t have gone in vain, as he gave the Cavs a lead with under 24 seconds to play, but the rest was out of his control.

Grade: A

Jarrett Allen

9 points, 1 assist, 3 rebounds

Allen made his return tonight after missing the previous two weeks with injuries to both hands. He occasionally had trouble catching the ball and only played 22 minutes in a game that went into overtime. Tough.

Grade: D+

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Darius Garland

26 points, 9 assists, 2 rebounds

Garland is clearly working through some foot pain. He was limping and grimacing throughout the second half. But that didn’t stop him from leading the Cavalier comeback that gave them a momentary lead in the fourth quarter.

This was far from a perfect game, but it’s a season-high 26 points for DG.

Grade: B+

Lonzo Ball

8 points, 4 assists, 5 rebounds, 5 steals

Ball still can’t hit a jumper. And his point of attack defense is lacking. But hey, he’s doing everything else. His 5 steals nearly tipped this game into Cleveland’s hands.

Grade: B

De’Andre Hunter

4 points, 0 assists, 4 rebounds

Nothing has changed for Hunter recently. He’s been a total negative on both ends of the floor.

Grade: F

Dean Wade

14 points, 2 assists, 8 rebounds

Wade was fantastic tonight. His rebounding kept the Cavs alive, and his activity as a cutter helped them score some of their easiest points of the game.

Grade: A+

Nae’Qwan Tomlin

7 points, 0 assists, 3 rebounds

Tomlin is only being held back by his inexperience right now. His hustle is always impactful. But he’s still prone to defensive breakdowns that make it hard to keep him on the floor longer than he has been.

Grade: B

Thomas Bryant

10 points, 0 assists, 6 rebounds

Bryant isn’t quick enough to keep up with opponents on the perimeter but he still makes good on his opportunities in the paint. He plays big, and that can make up for a lot.

Grade: B+