The question of what's the score of the cleveland cavaliers basketball game is usually a simple one, but if you're checking your phone today, Sunday, January 18, 2026, you'll notice something missing from the scoreboard. The Cavs aren't on it.
They’re off.
After a grueling back-to-back set against the Philadelphia 76ers, Cleveland is currently in a scheduled rest period before a massive MLK Day showdown.
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If you are looking for the most recent result to hold you over, the Cavaliers are coming off a thrilling 117-115 victory over the 76ers this past Friday night. That game was a total heart-stopper. Jaylon Tyson, the rookie who has been absolutely on fire lately, dropped a career-high 39 points.
Honestly, nobody saw that coming. Not with the injuries the team is currently juggling.
The Latest Result: A Friday Night Nail-Biter
Friday’s game in Philly was basically a statement win. Cleveland was short-handed. Darius Garland was out with that naggy big toe soreness. Sam Merrill was sidelined with a hand sprain. Max Strus? Still recovering from foot surgery.
The Cavs trailed by 11 in the fourth quarter. It looked bleak.
But then Tyson went nuclear, and Evan Mobley—who has been playing like an All-Defensive lock—slammed home a dunk with just 4.8 seconds left on the clock to seal the win.
- Final Score: Cleveland 117, Philadelphia 115
- Top Performer: Jaylon Tyson (39 PTS, 7/9 from three)
- The Clutch Moment: Evan Mobley's go-ahead dunk in the final seconds
This win followed a much more dominant performance on Wednesday, where the Cavs blew the doors off the Sixers 133-107. Taking both games in Philadelphia is a huge boost for Kenny Atkinson’s squad, especially considering how tight the Eastern Conference standings are looking right now.
When Do the Cavs Play Next?
Since there is no game today, you'll have to wait until tomorrow afternoon. The Cavaliers are scheduled to face the Oklahoma City Thunder on Monday, January 19, 2026.
This is a special matinee tip-off for Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
The game is set for 2:30 p.m. EST at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. It’s a big one. The Thunder are currently sitting at the top of the Western Conference with a 35-8 record, while the Cavs are fighting to move up from the 6th seed in the East.
Matchup Preview: Cavs vs. Thunder
The betting lines are already trickling out. Cleveland is a slight 1.5-point favorite at home.
It’s going to be a clash of styles. Cleveland is 6th in the league in assists, moving the ball beautifully under Atkinson. Meanwhile, OKC has the stingiest defense in the West, holding teams to just 108 points per game.
Keep an eye on the injury report. Whether Garland can return to help Donovan Mitchell—who is averaging nearly 30 a night—will be the deciding factor. Mitchell had a "quiet" double-double on Friday (13 points, 12 assists, 9 rebounds), but he usually saves his scoring outbursts for these nationally televised holiday games.
Where the Cavaliers Stand Right Now
Cleveland currently holds a 24-19 record.
They are sitting 6th in the Eastern Conference, right in the thick of a mess that includes the Knicks, Raptors, and Magic. They’ve gone 6-4 in their last ten games.
One thing that's kinda flying under the radar is their offense. They are 3rd in the NBA in points per game, averaging an even 120.0. When they are healthy, they are almost impossible to stop. The problem is they haven't been healthy for a full week since November.
Recent Game Log
- Jan 16: W 117-115 @ Philadelphia
- Jan 14: W 133-107 @ Philadelphia
- Jan 12: L 112-123 vs. Utah
- Jan 10: W 146-134 vs. Minnesota
The Minnesota game on the 10th was wild. 146 points in regulation? It felt like an All-Star game but with actual defense in the final five minutes.
Actionable Insights for Fans
If you're looking for what's the score of the cleveland cavaliers basketball game because you’re tracking your bets or your fantasy team, here is what you need to do next:
- Check the 1:30 PM Injury Report: Tomorrow (Monday), the NBA will release the official status for Darius Garland and Sam Merrill. If both are out, expect Jaylon Tyson to get another heavy workload.
- Monitor the Betting Line: The -1.5 spread for the Cavs is thin. If Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is confirmed active for OKC, that line might flip to the Thunder being favorites.
- Watch the Standings: A win tomorrow could potentially jump the Cavs into the 4th or 5th seed depending on how the Knicks and Raptors fare in their respective games.
The Cavs are in a "prove it" stretch of the season. Beating Philly twice was great, but taking down the best team in the West tomorrow would prove they are legitimate contenders for a deep playoff run.