The playoff-bound Cleveland Cavaliers and last-place Washington Wizards are locked into their spots in the standings, leaving nothing tangible for either team to play for — except pride — in their regular season finale Sunday.
Host Cleveland (51-30) is assured of finishing fourth in the Eastern Conference and will have home-court advantage against either the Atlanta Hawks or Toronto Raptors in the first round. The Cavaliers have won 10 of their last 13 games and are 34-14 since Dec. 29.
It would not be surprising to see Donovan Mitchell, James Harden, Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen granted the evening off.
“We’re really just locking in on all the key details and focused on making a run in the playoffs,” Cavaliers forward Nae’Qwan Tomlin said. “I feel like we have a little bit of momentum going in. We’re feeling good.”
Second-year pro Tomlin, who did not play high school basketball, has made the most of his opportunities as injuries have forced Cleveland to use 40 different starting lineups. A 41st is assured when it takes the opening tip against the Wizards.
Tomlin is averaging 5.5 points in 63 games, shooting 61.8 percent on his 191 field goal attempts inside the 3-point arc. The 6-foot-8, 210-pounder has been unstoppable in transition and had his two-way contract converted to a multi-year NBA deal on Feb. 11.
“I want them to know, if Nae’Qwan’s playing, Nae’Qwan’s playing hard,” said Tomlin, whose white headband and pogo-stick like jumping ability stand out on the court.
“That’s always been my thing, just going out there and playing hard. Being that spark, whether it’s off the bench or if I’m starting.”
It’s been a lost season for Washington (17-64), which clinched the worst record in the league Friday with a 140-117 home defeat to the Miami Heat. The Wizards have lost nine in a row and 25 of their last 26 games, only beating the Utah Jazz on March 25.
Future hopes are high as Washington will add an impact rookie to a roster that includes former All-Stars Anthony Davis and Trae Young, both trade deadline acquisitions who are out with injuries.
But the present has been brutal: The Wizards’ three worst seasons in their 65-year franchise history have been the last three.
“We still have one more game,” said Washington coach Brian Keefe, who is 43-159 at the helm. “That’s one thing about our team. We don’t skip steps and we stay in the moment.”
No one has been more reliable throughout the turmoil than point guard Bub Carrington, who has played in all 163 Wizards games since debuting on Oct. 24, 2024. The University of Pittsburgh product is one of 18 players not to miss a game this NBA season.
Carrington, who was a second-team All-Rookie honoree, has upped his averages as a sophomore to 10.6 points and 4.6 assists. He is shooting 40.4 percent on 3-pointers and went 6-of-7 from long distance with 30 points two nights ago against Miami.
“I’m working to be an elite shooter, but I’ve been blessed enough to play in every game,” said Carrington, whose given first name is Carlton. “And I’ve been blessed to actually ‘play’ in every game.”
There will be an adjustment in sharing the backcourt with Young next season, but Keefe is already laying the foundation by moving Carrington off the ball more. He said he welcomes the challenge of adapting his game.
“I prided myself on being able to do that when I came into the league,” Carrington said of being a shooting guard. “Comparing the two roles is like ships in the night for me.”
The Cavaliers have won 15 straight over the Wizards, their second-longest run in franchise history. Cleveland beat the Orlando Magic 17 consecutive times from 2013-2017.
–Field Level Media
