The Cavs had a dress rehearsal for the regular season, and went with their starters in the preseason finale against the Pistons.
Cleveland’s starters played well into the fourth quarter led by Donovan Mitchell who had 17 points, (6-10 FG, 3-6 3PT) and Jarrett Allen who had 15 points and six rebounds.
Head Coach Kenny Atkinson described the offense as, “clunky” as they start to see how players like Lonzo Ball and Jaylon Tyson find their roles on the team.
#Cavs Donovan Mitchell on the pieces starting to come together and what impressed him about Lonzo Ball tonight: pic.twitter.com/Vq21Sobmz9
— Leah Doherty (@LeahDohertyTV) October 15, 2025
Sam Merrill saw his first preseason action and put up 10 points, (4-7 FG, 2-5 3PT). Merrill was in the starting lineup along with De’Andre Hunter, in place of Max Strus and Darius Garland who will both miss the start of the season due to injury.
Hunter suffered a right knee contusion on a hard hit in the first quarter and would not play in the second half.
Before he exited, Hunter had 14 points, (3-6 FG, 2-3 3PT) and told reporters after the game that he would be good to go for the season opener.
https://twitter.com/LeahDohertyTV/status/1978298147580387731?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1978298147580387731%7Ctwgr%5Ec5b78720658df97982825d29f6ad351c6702264c%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cleveland19.com%2F2025%2F10%2F15%2Fcavs-top-pistons-118-110-preseason-finale%2F
The Cavs open the season at the Knicks on Wednesday at 7 p.m. at Madison Square Garden.
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