Player Grades: Cavs vs Bucks

Mitchell buried the game-winning shot.

The Cleveland Cavaliers extended their perfect start to the season behind an inspired comeback and late-game heroics from Donovan Mitchell to defeat the Milwaukee Bucks.

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

Donovan Mitchell

30 points (11-25 shooting), 4 assists, 3 rebounds

Can you hit the game-winning shot and not receive an A+? Mitchell had to empty the clip for Cleveland to rally back from an early deficit. As a result, he wasn’t as efficient as you’d normally hope. But 11-25 shooting is more than acceptable when the final attempt was to win the game. Big-time plays like this are why Mitchell is well on his way to becoming a franchise legend.

Grade: A+

Evan Mobley

14 points (7-13 shooting), 7 rebounds, 5 assists

The Bucks frontcourt was able to stifle Mobley for stretches of this game. They dared him to shoot three-pointers and he shied away from even attempting them. Still, they don’t need Mobley to score 20+ every game to prove he has grown.

He was assertive in key moments of the game, converting a confident layup over Brook Lopez in the fourth quarter. Mobley’s rim protection was vital to slowing down Giannis Antetokounmpo — who still scored 34 points but shot just 12-27 from the floor.

Grade: B+

Darius Garland

11 points (5-13 shooting), 10 assists, 3 rebounds

The Cavs hope for more scoring from Garland on a nightly basis. He shot just 1-5 from deep and instead of pressing, began searching for ways to set up his teammates. 10 big assists were crucial in matching Milwaukee’s offensive firepower throughout the game. His off-ball defense was disruptive. This wasn’t his best game but it was an example of how Garland can still be a positive contributor even when he isn’t scoring in bunches.

Grade: B+

Jarrett Allen

15 points (6-10 shooting), 12 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal

This game felt disastrous at the start for Allen. He committed two uncharacteristic turnovers and blanked on a handful of easy-scoring opportunities. The Bucks rattled off their big run at the cost of Allen’s mistakes — but he gradually made up for it throughout the game. Allen finished with a respectable stat line and put a lid on Milwaukee’s rim when it mattered most.

Grade: B-

Dean Wade

8 points (3-8 shooting), 4 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal

Wade drew a tough matchup trying to contain Damian Lillard on the perimeter. He wasn’t quite able to keep up with the speed and shiftiness of Lillard — leading to Isaac Okoro replacing him for long stretches. Nonetheless, Wade was useful against other Bucks players — including Antetokounmpo.

A Swiss Army Knife like Wade will always come in handy when used in the right ways.

Grade: B

Sam Merrill

17 points (6-10 shooting), 1 rebound, 1 assist

Merrill ripped off five three-pointers in this game. Each one felt like a momentum shift. His ability to fly off screens and put pressure on the defense was used to perfection. By the fourth quarter, Merrill generated two open layups with his gravity — first on a split action with Niang — and then again on a backdoor cut to the rim.

This was Merrill’s best game of the season and his 17 points off the bench were a difference maker.

Grade: A+

Georges Niang

3 points (1-5 shooting), 4 rebounds, 2 assists

I don’t say this often... but Niang turned in a quality performance despite shooting 0-4 from deep. He was surprisingly effective on defense, drawing multiple offensive fouls and bothering Milwaukee in the halfcourt. He didn’t make any threes but his spacing is always helpful. I can’t give him too much credit — but this game was better than the box score suggests.

Grade: C+

Isaac Okoro

13 points (4-5 shooting), 8 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal

Oh yeah, we’re back. Okoro took some time to assimilate to Kenny Atkinson’s offense but the last two games have been big steps in the right direction. He jumped off the bench for 10 points in the first half, changing the game with a pair of triples and aggressive attacks on the basket. Okoro put in his best effort against Lillard, who had to work for every bucket against him.

Most importantly, Okoro was active on the glass. This hasn’t always been the case for him. But eight rebounds, including a hustle play in the fourth quarter, saved the game. Okoro finished with a team-high +12.

Grade: A+

Ty Jerome

3 points (1-2 shooting), 3 assists, 2 rebounds, 9 minutes

Jerome is quickly proving to be a reliable floor general off the bench. He enters each game and sticks straight to the script. Quick decisions, elevating the pace and dishing out assists. It was business as usual for Jerome, providing a jolt of energy even if he only played nine minutes.

Grade: B

Craig Porter Jr.

0 points, 2 assists, 1 rebound, 5 minutes

It was blink if you miss it for Porter. He played a brief stint in the second quarter when all was going bad for the Cavs. Porter wasn’t noticeable one way or another — but it’s worth noting that Atkinson’s willingness to go deep into his rotation, no matter who is available, has kept the Cavs with fresh legs in each game. Only Garland and Mitchell played more than 32 minutes tonight and that’s only possible because Porter could work a five-minute shift.

Grade: C