Previewing Cleveland Cavaliers NBA 2K26 Player Ratings

The Cleveland Cavaliers achieved a successful 2024-25 NBA regular season, winning over 60 games for the first time since LeBron James's initial tenure. However, their playoff run ended prematurely before the Conference Finals for the third consecutive year since acquiring Donovan Mitchell, attributed to injuries and poor clutch execution. Despite this, they were considered a top title contender.

Opting against major roster changes in the offseason, the Cavaliers are banking on internal development from young players, better health in the playoffs, and minor roster moves to improve next season. While their playoff failures mirrored the first two years of the Donovan Mitchell era, the team showed undeniable growth under first-year Head Coach Kenny Atkinson.

This development was reflected in the NBA 2K25 video game ratings. Donovan Mitchell's rating rose from 92 to 94 after an All-NBA First Team season, placing him among the game's top-10 players. Young stars Evan Mobley and Darius Garland saw the most significant increases, each rising six points (Mobley 86 to 92, Garland 82 to 88). Jarrett Allen increased slightly (82 to 84), as did De'Andre Hunter (to 82) and Max Strus (to 79). Lonzo Ball was the only core rotation player whose rating decreased, modestly dropping from 79 to 78, while Larry Nance Jr. rose from 76 to 77 despite limited playing time.

Although part of the overall rating inflation in NBA 2K, these increases also testify to the Cavaliers' success during their 64-win season. The team is projected to be dominant both in the upcoming NBA 2K26 game and in the real world next season.