Cavs Questions: Watson's Hamstring Clears, Harden Eyes a…

By the Cavaliers Nightly Desk · Friday, October 9

Cleveland opened preseason with a 124-113 loss to Boston on Thursday, a result that won't show up anywhere once the real schedule starts October 22. The bigger notes: Peyton Watson is off the injury report, James Harden has a target return date, and the reserves outplayed the first unit.

Cavaliers Nightly artwork — Illustration by Hoops Nightly.

What did Thursday's loss to the Celtics actually show?

Final was Celtics 124, Cavaliers 113, with 13 lead changes and 9 ties in a game that stayed close into the fourth. Jaylon Tyson led everyone with 14 points on 6-of-8 shooting. Donovan Mitchell had 11. Evan Mobley managed only 8 in 17 minutes, a quiet night for the starting bigs while reserves outscored the first unit, 67 points to 46.

Is James Harden playing Sunday against Orlando?

Not clear yet, but there's a target. Harden is nursing a sore right ankle and sat out the opener entirely. The team has him pointed at the Oct. 11 preseason game against the Magic, which airs on ESPN, as his return date. Nothing's official beyond that.

What's the word on Peyton Watson?

Good news. Watson's hamstring case cleared up Thursday, moving him off the injury report entirely after being limited just a day earlier. No word yet on when he actually logs minutes, but the health scare looks resolved for now.

Who helped themselves off the bench in the opener?

Tristan Enaruna and Meleek Thomas. Enaruna scored 13 on 5-of-7 shooting in 17 minutes and led the team with 7 points in the fourth quarter alone. Thomas played 23 minutes and added 11 points with 3 steals. Thomas Bryant chipped in 8 points and 2 blocks in just 9 minutes off the bench.

What's left before the regular season actually counts?

Two more preseason looks at Orlando: Oct. 11 (ESPN) and Oct. 13 (Peacock). The real opener is Oct. 22 at Philadelphia, also on ESPN. Cleveland sits at 0-0, and Thursday's score doesn't change that.

The verdictThe opener means nothing in the standings, but reserves outplaying the starters is worth watching into next week. Watson's health scare is over, Harden has a target date, and the group gets two more cracks at Orlando before the Oct. 22 opener actually counts.

Did the Cavaliers win their preseason opener?

No. Cleveland lost 124-113 to the Boston Celtics on Oct. 8.

When do the Cavaliers play again?

They face the Orlando Magic on Oct. 11 (ESPN) and again on Oct. 13 (Peacock), both preseason.

By the Cavaliers Nightly Desk, written from the club's data and the reports on file, with every name and number checked against them. How the desks work.