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Player Rankings: Cavs vs Warriors – Cleveland delivers a statement win
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Player Rankings: Cavs vs Warriors – Cleveland delivers a statement win

Can everyone just get an A+? The Cleveland Cavaliers decimated their old rival in a performance that extended their perfect record to 10-0.

Grades are based on our usual expectations for each player.

Donovan Mitchell

12 points (4-13 shooting), 5 rebounds, 4 assists, 4 turnovers

Mitchell was one of the few Cavaliers who didn’t have a fruitful shooting night. He was quiet for most of the game, but it must be nice for Mitchell to sit back and let his teammates carry him for once.

Don’t get it wrong: Mitchell was putting maximum pressure on Golden State’s defense. He had Brandin Podziemski on skates and still played a respectable game. But I’m sorry, I can’t give everyone still an A+.

Quality: A-

Evan Mobley

23 points (7-12 shooting), 4 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 blocks, 1 steal

While every member of the Cavaliers tags along flamethrower from behind the arc, there wasn’t much room for Mobley to score in the first half. He responded by scoring in bunches in the third quarter to push himself to 23 points in another impressive offensive performance.

Mobley was crucial in preventing the Warriors from building a rhythm on offense. Its defense remains at the top of the league. And his role as a playmaker continued to expand tonight with four assists.

Grade: A+

Darius Garland

27 points (9-17 shooting), 6 assists, 3 rebounds, 3 steals

Garland is so back it’s not even funny anymore. He once again led the team in scoring on a 6-10 shooting night from the three-point line. His on-ball shots are only complemented by his willingness to move without being able to open the brick and triples.

He has fully regained his strength as a goalscorer. But Garland is also playing the best defense of his career to start this season. He spent most of the game on Stephen Curry, who only scored 12 points tonight.

Grade: A+

Jarrett Allen

13 points (5-8 shooting), 12 rebounds, 3 assists

I say it every time I give Allen his grade, but he just takes care of business every night. He’s never in the spotlight, but Allen gives you an efficient double-double in his sleep. Allen is a defensive anchor on the glass and wreaks havoc on any defense allowing him to catch the ball in the paint. The vertical distance it provides cannot be overstated.

Plus, the shot above was great.

Grade: A+

Zane Wade

3 points (1-1 shooting), 6 rebounds, 2 assists

Wade returned to the floor after missing the previous two games. The Cavs approached his return cautiously, with Wade coming off the bench and playing minimal minutes. He knocked down his only shot and immediately helped on the glass.

Grade: B+

Caris LeVert

8 points (2-5 shooting), 7 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 steals, 1 block

LeVert was active as a defender tonight and turned his three steals into runouts for the Cavaliers. His two three-pointers helped the team build momentum heading into an early Cavalanche that gave them a 40-point lead.

This was the best start to a season LeVert has ever had. Tonight was no exception.

Grade: A+

Sam Merrill

5 points (1-4 shooting), 2 rebounds, 15 minutes

There’s no doubt Merrill can shoot the ball. But the Warriors did a fine job of limiting his opportunities. It didn’t help that Merrill just didn’t seem to have it tonight. He logged just 15 minutes while the rest of the Cavalier bench was rolling.

I’m sorry, Sam.

Grade: C

George Niang

7 points (3-4), 2 rebounds, 1 assist

Niang finished with a -12, the worst of anyone on the Cavs. But the numbers don’t tell the full story. He played a great game tonight on both sides of the field and efficiently scored 3-4. His spacing is a big reason why the Cavaliers could carve the Warriors’ defense to pieces.

Grade: B+

Isaac Okoro

16 points (6-10 shooting), 4 assists, 1 rebound

This was one of Okoro’s best games. Ever. He matched his career high with four 3-pointers, all confident releases that put another nail in the Warriors’ coffin. All the while, Okoro wrote great books (we like to think of Okoro as a screener) and disrupted Golden State’s offense by defending Draymond Green – ruining their attempt to run two-man plays with Green and Curry.

Well done, Ice.

Grade: A+

Ty Jerome

20 points (7-8 shooting), 3 assists, 1 rebound

Jerome was laughably good at this game. He opened by scoring 13 points in his first 10 minutes, draining numerous 25-footers in transition. Jerome was all over his former team, cooking them from every angle.

The offensive jolt that Jerome gives this Cavalier bench every night cannot go unnoticed. He has been a difference maker.

Grade: A+