CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Cleveland Cavaliers ended the 2024-25 season with a disappointing second-round exit from the playoffs. This season, they are struggling to meet expectations amid an injury-plagued campaign.
But they’ve still given our cleveland.com photographers plenty to capture.
Below are our favorite Cavalier photographs from 2025.
Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Chicago Bulls, November 8, 2025
Cleveland Cavaliers center Jarrett Allen defends the rim against Chicago Bulls guard Kevin Huerter in the first half of play. Joshua Gunter, cleveland.com
A wide angle camera mounted on the floor gives perspective of more than just two players on a drive to the basket.
Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Indiana Pacers in game 5 of the Eastern Conference semifinals, May 13, 2025
Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell attempts a pass around the defense of Indiana Pacers center Myles Turner in the second half during the eastern conference semifinals at Rocket Arena. John Kuntz, cleveland.com
Cavs’ Donovan Mitchell ran out of room on a drive to the basket and needed to make a quick pass around the sprawling defense of Pacers’ Myles Turner.
Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Atlanta Hawks, November 2, 2025
Cleveland Cavaliers center Evan Mobley is hit in the face by the arm of Atlanta Hawks forward Jalen Johnson on a drive to the basket in the first half at Rocket Arena. John Kuntz, cleveland.com
The moment the Hawks’ Jalen Johnson struck the face of the Cavs’ Evan Mobley.
Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Miami Heat in game 1 of the NBA Playoffs, April 20, 2025
Cleveland Cavaliers head coach congratulates Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell (45) after taking him out of the game late in the fourth quarter during game 1 of the NBA Playoffs at Rocket Arena. John Kuntz, cleveland.com
Cavs’ head coach Kenny Atkinson is all smiles as he takes out Mitchell with a lead over the Miami Heat in the playoffs. Atkinson, usually reserved near the bench, was overjoyed with the play of Mitchell. Playoffs will do that.
Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Indiana Pacers in Game1 of the Eastern Conference semifinals, May 4, 2025
Cleveland Cavaliers forward De'Andre Hunter falls on his back after Indiana Pacers guard Bennedict Mathurin blocked his lay up attempt in the second half during their eastern conference semifinals at Rocket Arena. John Kuntz, cleveland.com
The Cavs’ De’Andre Hunter was a little slow getting off the floor after being rejected by the Pacers’ Bennedict Mathurin on a layup try.
Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Chicago Bulls, November 8, 2025
Cleveland Cavaliers center Evan Mobley and Chicago Bulls forward Patrick Williams battle for a rebound in the first half of play. Joshua Gunter, cleveland.com
The fight for a rebound is captured in the faces of Mobley and the Bulls’ Patrick Wilson.
Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Indiana Pacers in game 5 of the Eastern Conference semifinals, May 13, 2025
Cleveland Cavaliers forward Isaac Okoro tries to gain control of the basketball from the floor against the Indiana Pacers in the first half of the eastern conference semifinals at Rocket Arena. John Kuntz, cleveland.com
Former Cavalier Isaac Okoro seemed to slide forever trying to gain possession of a loose ball.
Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Milwaukee Bucks, November 17, 2025
Cleveland Cavaliers forward Nae’Qwan Tomlin (bottom) and Milwaukee Bucks guard Gary Trent Jr. battle for possession of a loose ball in the first half at Rocket Arena. John Kuntz, cleveland.com
The Cavs’ Nae’Qwan Tomlin tries to keep hold of the basketball on the floor as the Bucks’ Gary Trent Jr. tries to pull it away.
Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Miami Heat in game 1 of the NBA Playoffs, April 20, 2025
Cleveland Cavaliers’ fans cheer on after a three-point score by Cavs’ Ty Jerome in the second half during game 1 of the NBA Playoffs at Rocket Arena. John Kuntz, cleveland.com
Rocket Arena is electric when a sellout crowd cheers in unison. You can feel it in your chest.
Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Chicago Bulls, November 8, 2025
Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell reacts after making a basket against the Chicago Bulls in the second half of play. Joshua Gunter, cleveland.com
Mitchell gets the fans going after making a basket.
Cavaliers vs Celtics, November 30, 2025
Celtics guard Payton Pritchard (11) loses the ball and is fouled as he drives between Cavs’ Nae’Qwan Tomlin (35) and Cavaliers guard Tyrese Proctor (24) during NBA action between the Boston Celtics at the Cleveland Cavaliers in Rocket Arena on Sunday, November 30, 2025. The Celtics won 117-115.David Petkiewicz, cleveland.com
Never safe to try and cut through the Cavs’ defense, as the Celtics’ Payton Pritchard learned by losing control of the basketball.
Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Milwaukee Bucks, October 26, 2025
Cleveland Cavaliers forward De'Andre Hunter secures a rebound from Milwaukee Bucks guard Gary Trent Jr. in the first half at Rocket Arena. John Kuntz, cleveland.com
Contested rebounds can produce wonderful action photos as Hunter secures the basketball from the Bucks’ Gary Trent Jr.
Cleveland Cavaliers vs. San Antonio Spurs, December 5, 2025
Cleveland Cavaliers forward Nah’Qwan Tomlin fouls San Antonio Spurs forward Keldon Johnson on his drive to the basket in the first half at Rocket Arena. John Kuntz, cleveland.com
Tomlin kept the Spurs’ Keldon Johnson under his arm pit until the whistle sounded for the foul play.
Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Miami Heat in game 1 of the NBA Playoffs, April 20, 2025
Cleveland Cavaliers guard Ty Jerome (2) celebrates his three-point score with fans in the second half during game 1 of the NBA Playoffs at Rocket Arena. John Kuntz, cleveland.com
The fans can produce a great background in photos like this one as former Cavs Ty Jerome reacts to a 3-point score in the playoffs.
Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Miami Heat in game 1 of the NBA Playoffs, April 20, 2025
Cleveland Cavaliers center Jarrett Allen (L) and Miami Heat forward Haywood Highsmith battle for possession of a loose ball in the second half during game 1 of the NBA Playoffs at Rocket Arena. John Kuntz, cleveland.com
The Cavs’ Jarrett Allen and the Heat’s Haywood Highsmith strike identical poses going for a loose ball.
Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Detroit Pistons, October 14, 2025
Cleveland Cavaliers guard Jaylon Tyson snags a rebound against Detroit Pistons forward Bobi Klintman in the second half of play. Joshua Gunter, cleveland.com
The Cavs’ Jaylon Tyson reacts to impact on a rebound.
Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Memphis Grizzlies, November 15, 2025
Cleveland Cavaliers center Evan Mobley works his way around Memphis Grizzlies forward Jaren Jackson Jr. for two in the second half of play. Joshua Gunter, cleveland.com
Mobley has worked on his offensive agility, proving it here as he slices through the Grizzlies defense for a score.
Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Memphis Grizzlies, November 15, 2025
Cleveland Cavaliers center Evan Mobley hammers down a dunk against the Memphis Grizzlies in the second half of play. Joshua Gunter, cleveland.com
Dunks are the exclamation point in basketball as Mobley demonstrates.
Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Detroit Pistons, October 14, 2025
Cleveland Cavaliers center Jarrett Allen tries for a dunk against Detroit Pistons center Isaiah Stewart in the first half of play. Joshua Gunter, cleveland.com
Two long stretches toward the rim as Allen tries to leap higher than the Piston’s Isaiah Stewart.
Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Milwaukee Bucks, October 26, 2025
Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo secures a rebound from Cleveland Cavaliers forward Dean Wade in the second half at Rocket Arena. John Kuntz, cleveland.com
All hands on deck when the Bucks’ Giannis Antetokounmpo has the basketball.
Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Miami Heat in game 1 of the NBA Playoffs, April 20, 2025
Miami Heat forward Haywood Highsmith (24) and Cleveland Cavaliers forward Evan Mobley (4) battle for possession of a rebound in the second half during game 1 of the NBA Playoffs at Rocket Arena. John Kuntz, cleveland.com
A race to a rebound for Mobley and the Heat’s Haywood Highsmith.
Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Milwaukee Bucks, November 17, 2025
Cleveland Cavaliers guard Darius Garland celebrates a score in the second half against the Milwaukee Bucks at Rocket Arena. John Kuntz, cleveland.com
An injured Darius Garland gets into a teammate’s score from the bench.
Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Chicago Bulls, November 8, 2025
Cleveland Cavaliers forward De'Andre Hunter dunks on Chicago Bulls forward Patrick Williams in the second half of play. Joshua Gunter, cleveland.com
Hunter holds on to the net to clear players on the court after a monster dunk.
Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Memphis Grizzlies, November 15, 2025
Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell draws the foul from Memphis Grizzlies forward Santi Aldama in the first half of play. Joshua Gunter, cleveland.com
No easy baskets with Mitchell on defense as he fouls the Grizzlies’ Santi Aldama.
Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Miami Heat in game 1 of the NBA Playoffs, April 20, 2025
Miami Heat forward Duncan Robinson (55) looks to make a pass guarded tightly by Cleveland Cavaliers guard Ty Jerome in the first half of game 1 playoffs at Rocket Arena. John Kuntz, cleveland.com
The reaction on the face of the Heat’s Duncan Robinson shows the intensity of defense by Jerome.
Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Indiana Pacers in game 5 of the Eastern Conference semifinals, May 13, 2025
Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell wipes his face with his jersey as he walks off the court after losing to the Indiana Pacers at Rocket Arena. John Kuntz, cleveland.com
One picture tells the story of the Cavs playoff run against the Pacers as Mitchell wipes his face as he exits the floor.
Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Memphis Grizzlies, November 15, 2025
Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell draws the foul from Memphis Grizzlies forward Santi Aldama in the first half of play. Joshua Gunter, cleveland.com
Mitchell forces a foul on a drive to the basket against the Grizzlies.
Cleveland Cavaliers vs. San Antonio Spurs, March 27, 2025
Cleveland Cavaliers guard Darius Garland (L) pokes the basketball free from the dribble of San Antonio Spurs guard Stephon Castle for a turnover in the second half at Rocket Arena. John Kuntz, cleveland.com
A sly Garland reaches over the shoulder of the Spurs’ Stephon Castle for a turnover on an inbound pass.
Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Miami Heat, Game 2 of NBA Playoffs, April 23, 2025
Cleveland Cavaliers’s fans celebrate a three-point score by Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell in the fourth quarter during Game 2 of the NBA Playoffs at Rocket Arena. John Kuntz, cleveland.com
A Cavs sellout at Rocket Arena can shake the rafters in an explosion of cheers. I have to wear ear plugs for games.
Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Indiana Pacers in game 5 of the Eastern Conference semifinals, May 13, 2025
The Indiana Pacers bench celebrates a score and taking the lead with the reaction of the Cleveland Cavaliers fans in the second half during the eastern conference semifinals at Rocket Arena. John Kuntz, cleveland.com
A nice juxtaposition of the celebrating Pacers on the bench with the reaction of Cavs fans on the right.
Cleveland Cavaliers Media Day, September 29, 2025
Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell poses for photos during the 2025 Cleveland Cavaliers Media Day at Rocket Arena. Joshua Gunter, cleveland.com
A behind-the-scenes look at the Cavs’ media day at Rocket Arena.