Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images
In the 2021-22 NBA season, the Cleveland Cavaliers were one of the biggest surprises, regardless of the outcome of their season. With Darius Garland, Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley at the helm, the Cavs raced out to a great start land even managed to become a top-three team in the Eastern Conference at one point.
However, a series of injuries derailed what was a very promising campaign for the young Cavaliers team. Their key players all missed a chunk of games, with Allen and Mobley getting injured at a crucial time of their campaign. After a great first half, the Cavaliers saw themselves sliding out of the playoff picture and eventually falling out of the play-in tournament
This season, with the addition of Donovan Mitchell, the Cavs continued where they had stopped in the first half of last season and have looked like one of the best teams in the NBA at times. This has led to the Cavs making the playoffs for the first time since 2018, and for the first time since 1998 without LeBron James on its roster – back then, two of the Cavs key players in Evan Mobley and Darius Garland weren’t even born yet.
To celebrate the end of the five, and 25-year long draughts, NBA Twitter reacted accordingly and praised the Cavaliers.
Time for him to come back pic.twitter.com/lptjz09vLc
— (@papyfaye1) March 27, 2023
Roster from that ’97-98 team pic.twitter.com/lWrjT1Sbmp
— 〽️❗K (@mkzzn) March 27, 2023
Mitchell to Utah… pic.twitter.com/73QbditLnX
— ➐ (@eviilflame) March 27, 2023
LeBron came to the league in 2003. This is the first time EVER that the Cavs make the playoffs without him. We were miserable just 3 years ago. Shoutout to everyone for the amazing job. I used to pray for times like this. We gonna #LetEmKnow
— (@papyfaye1) March 27, 2023
Cavs won the trade
— fan account (@Asensii20) March 27, 2023
25 years is crazy
— Wonzo (@WonzoTV) March 27, 2023
Cavs going to the playoffs, but have to still reference LeBron.
Y’all are legit restraining order level.
— Doctor Disney (@Doctor_Disney) March 27, 2023
While Lebron finna miss the play in pic.twitter.com/rBNAXUgtE2
— INSTA @4️⃣️Fwh0dat (@taefrmnola) March 27, 2023
DMitch is the greatest Cav of all time
— x- Groovy () (@MileHighGroovy) March 27, 2023
