Player Grades: Cavs vs Jazz – Nae’Qwan Tomlin is everywhere in upsetting loss

The Cleveland Cavaliers shouldn’t be happy about this one. Nae’Qwan Tomlin might be the only player who deserves to feel good.

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

Donovan Mitchell

21 points, 3 assists, 3 rebounds

Cavs head coach Kenny Atkinson said before the game that he could think of at least five games off the top of his head this season that Donovan Mitchell carried them to the finish line. They could have used another one of those performances tonight.

When he and the team are this undisciplined on defense, it takes an otherworldly offensive performance to make up for it. He didn’t have it tonight.

Grade: D+

Darius Garland

23 points, 8 assists, 2 rebounds

Garland had 12 points and 6 assists at halftime. This was shaping up to be an explosive game from DG. But, similar to Mitchell, the defensive deficiencies were far too much for just an above-average offensive night from Garland.

Grade: C–

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Evan Mobley

15 points, 9 rebounds, 8 assists, 3 blocks

Mobley was aggressive in finding his shot in Cleveland’s previous game against Minnesota. The Jazz made sure it wouldn’t be as easy for him tonight. Mobley began the game 0-3 and didn’t score his first bucket until the second half.

While Mobley wasn’t scoring, he was still punishing Utah with his passing. He had 5 assists in the first half and finished with 8 assists. That’s nice and all, but the Cavs really need him to find counters when opponents take away the deep paint.

Grade: C+

Sam Merrill

14 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists

Utah did a great job of limiting Merrill on the three-point line. He didn’t see much daylight with a contest ready and in his face every time he caught the ball. He also had a hard time defensively due to Utah’s size on the wing.

Grade: C-

Craig Porter Jr.

5 points, 1 assist, 3 rebounds

Porter wasn’t super effective tonight. It’s one of the few games this season where he didn’t feel like a positive contributor on either end of the floor.

Grade: D

De’Andre Hunter

2 points, 0 rebounds, 3 assists

I’m done grading De’Andre Hunter. Instead, I’m going to try pleading. Please, De’Andre. You are better than this.

Grade: F

Jarrett Allen

8 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists

This was a lackluster game from Allen. After responding well to Minnesota’s physicality in his previous two games, he folded to Utah’s bruising frontcourt.

Grade: D

Jaylon Tyson

11 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists

Tyson gave the Cavs a boost in the first half with his shot-making making but started to fade as the game went on. He wasn’t particularly good on defense, and the Cavs had a hard time generating offense with him on the floor in the second half. That might not have been entirely his fault, but playing in lineups featuring multiple non-shooters doesn’t bode well for Tyson.

Grade: B

Nae’Qwan Tomlin

13 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 blocks

This was the best game Tomlin has played all season. He impacted every facet of the game, turning in an all-around performance that’s worthy of a standard contract.

Grade: A+