Cavs vs Bulls | De’Andre Hunter, Jaylon Tyson, Donovan Mitchell Post Game | 11.8.2025

Cavs vs Bulls | De’Andre Hunter, Jaylon Tyson, Donovan Mitchell Post Game | 11.8.2025

Dar, we got to give the people what they want to know first because that was one of the most ridiculous things that we have ever experienced. What What was going through your mind after you crossed up Giddy and then dunked Dun Williams? Man, it was it was I was really just looking at the bench, you know, how I want to see how they reacted. You know, I I was turned um definitely excited, but um yeah, I was definitely just wanting to see how they how they reacted to it for real. Okay. So then who do you think had the best bench reaction? I seen Quan. I probably put either Quan or DG. Quan or DG. DG. I saw DG. He was like the first one jumped up. Quan was jumping up and down. I probably put them two. And I think TB laid on the ground. I like that too. Yeah, I like that one too. Where do you kind of just I guess rank that in just individual plays, individual moments in your NBA career? Uh, it’s definitely up there. I ain’t going to rank them my my own stuff, but uh I I’ll definitely say that’s up there cuz you know I don’t think I ever made nobody fall like that and dunk. So I definitely it’s definitely one of the top ones, but I ain’t going to rank I ain’t going to rank them. All right, so with this game, I mean you guys were trailing by 16 at half. Obviously that was a huge momentum booster as well. Um what was the biggest difference for you guys coming out halftime? I think we just matched their intensity. You know, they were getting out in transition a lot. Um, make or miss, they’re a fast playing team. Uh, they play with a lot of pace, so we just, you know, match that and, you know, we try to get back in transition and, you know, limit the things that get them out in the open court. When you guys have as many scorers as you do on this team, how do you guys do so well at distributing touches to everybody to make sure that everyone gets a chance? Uh, I think it’s just like our, you know, I guess our motto as a team. You know, we, like you said, we have a lot of dudes that can make plays and we in here, we know that. So if we see a guy go a few possessions without touching it it’s like you know let them do their thing. So um I think it’s you know can get tough at times obviously when a guy is hot or two guys are hot but you know like a night like tonight where it’s pretty balanced I think it um not only helps us as a team but you know it it boosts just boosts everyone individuals you know um confidence in their game. On the other side of that coin by halftime you you and Evan had 30 of the 56 points for this Cavs team. when it comes to just knowing when to take over and having that freedom to do so, what does that say about your game and your ability? Um, I mean, I think it uh it goes back to that same point that we just have a lot of dudes whether you know Don’s having a bad game, F can pick it up, if F having a bad game, I can pick it up and vice versa. So, um, you don’t really lean on one specific person every single night cuz, you know, that’s tough. But, you know, to have dudes that can go out there and score 30 and, you know, pick up for the lack of scoring from another uh teammate, that that helps a lot. Speaking of Jaylen Tyson, just a guy that comes in, has 12 in the fourth quarter and knocks down two clutch ones. What have you seen from him this season? No, it’s my dog. You know, we we get a lot of work in together. Uh I see the work that he put in. He the first one of the first dudes in the gym, one of the last dudes to leave. So, you know, to see it come uh in the game and, you know, see him put the work in and, you know, it comes into fruition in the game is is definitely big and uh you know, that’s my guy. Would you say something positive even if he wasn’t just staring at you behind the media script? That’s the only reason. That’s the only reason. DeAndre, can he talk specifically about the a big play drawing the foul on the on the box out? Um, just how important is it for you to be able to do those the little things that really dictate winning in in the clutch moments like that? I think that’s what’s expected of me. Um, you know, I feel like I’m allound player, not just offensive player, not just a defensive player. Um, and then everyone buys in to try to get a win. So, I got to do the small things. In terms of that crossover you were just talking about earlier, just Kenny was talking about how you put in work over the summer to just work on that self-creation. How far have you think you you’ve come in that area and is tonight a good example of what can happen from that work? I think I came really far. That’s not you, Drake. Cool. No, I would say I came really far. Uh I feel like if you watch my game over the years, uh it’s definitely evolved and you know, I have put in a lot of work to to get to this point. So, um hopefully it’s it’s more in the tank and you know, I’m going to keep working to do do more and do better. Virginia, too. What do you make of this team right now? I mean, look, we can we can hear Donovan in the background. You got guys watching. You can see it on your face. Like the camaraderie of this team now that now that you’ve you’ve been here now a minute. Yeah, I mean, you know, I kind of got a glimpse of it last year. Uh but, you know, being here for, you know, a whole summer and just seeing how they, you know, connect over the summer. Uh that was that was very different for me. So, um I think it makes sense why, you know, everyone is how there is here. And, you know, I love it. Thanks D. Thank you all ready guys. So y’all ready? Y’all good. Yep. JT, just going into the fourth quarter, you have that role of being in that lineup. What does it mean one for Kenny to trust you in that lineup and then for Dre and your teammates to keep passing you the ball? Um, it mean it means the world honestly, right? I mean, to piggy back off what Dre said, like the work that I put in, they see it. I mean, they trying to kick me out of the gym all the time. Um, but to have that trust in me, like once they have that trust in me, I got to do my job and I got to deliver, right? Um, so I’m blessed that they believe in me, but I got a lot more games left. To hear that you’ve earned that kind of trust from the veterans in here, what does that mean to you? I can’t put it into words. Um, obviously last year I didn’t play as much, right? Um, we was on a really good team and I learned a lot from the bench, right? So, to come in year two and for them to believe in me is definitely a blessing and something I won’t take take advantage of, right? I mean, damn. Sorry. But um I can go on and on talk about this team, talk about this organization, talk about everybody around it, but I’m just blessed to be here and I’m blessed they gave me an opportunity defensively against a team like the Bulls. I like to get up and down. I like to get into the painted area. What was the most difficult thing for you tonight? Um the most difficult thing is probably on my crashes not to over crash, right? and get on the top and the bottom side because then it creates a advantage on on their end. So that’s that’s one of the biggest things and then honestly just trying to slow the ball handlers down like it’s not easy. They play at a very fast pace and they’re coming at you downhill like that. Um but like like I said, credit to us as a team and the defense that we have and I feel like we slowed them down towards the end of the game. What did you think of the officiating of today’s game? Obviously 36 shot attempts from them at the free throw line. You guys got a few at the end there. I’m not going to comment on that cuz I’m not going to get no fine. So, I’m I’m not going to comment on that. But what? I’m the officiating. I’m not saying nothing. [Music] Unless you want to pay the fine. No, I’m good. I don’t I don’t Okay, then there’s your answer. NIO got spent with so much scoring talent on this team. Obviously, not everyone can be going on the same night, but it seems like the box score, especially the last three games, has been real balanced. Just when you have that much talent on the team, how do how do you guys ensure that you distribute the ball um so that everyone gets a touch and is able to to do what they do? Honestly, our core players are going to do what they do and then we going to play off them. So, if we can make their job easier, make Don’s job easier, make Drey’s job easier, F, then that’s what we’re going to do. But I don’t know about distributing the basketball as I think we just playing really good basketball right now. Thanks J. Thank you. If you wanted to, do you think you could lead the league in scoring? I mean, yeah, but is that what we need? You know what? I mean, it’s more so like what do we need as opposed to what could I do? You know what I’m saying? Um, I just feel like my role is a little different than those guys who are I mean, obviously I’m scoring at a high level, but like I don’t I don’t that’s not what I that’s not what we need uh to get to the to get to that ultimate point. I mean, we talked so much last year about you adjusting what you’re doing for the the common good, the better, but do you ever think about just the reverse of that and just letting it rip? I mean, I mean, no, because like at the end of the day, what does that accomplish for the group, right? Like, at the end of the day, I I I talk I talk to y’all about this all the time. It’s like sacrifice, sacrifice, sacrifice. Um, you know, does that mean I don’t get talked about in the same light as certain people? For sure, that’s a sacrifice. But at the end of the day, you win a championship, the whole discussion changes, right? Like, you know what I mean? So, I’m not here to to just kind of figure out the Donovan Awards, right? this it’s it’s how is how is DG, how is Evan, how is Jay, Dre, Max, like everybody down the line, right? That’s that’s ultimately it’s not just going to be me out there winning a championship. We have to do this as a collective and you know what I mean? Like that’s that’s what it takes. And you know, I’m okay with that. So, it’s what we can do as a group. Um, so yeah, I guess just to push back a little bit, you guys are seven and three with a bunch of injuries and you’re fifth in the league in scoring at like 31 a game. So this it can work. I mean, it’s it’s efficient though. It’s not, you know what I I think that’s the biggest thing. It’s coming within the flow of the game. Like, you know, I mean, I wasn’t really happy with my past two performances the past two nights cuz they just weren’t efficient nights, you know what I mean? But at the end of the day, we won the games and that’s great. But, you know, my biggest thing I preach to y’all about efficiency, right? Like whatever that looks like. And if it’s, hey, if it’s 40 on 18 shots, then great. You know what I mean? But what’s it’s it’s how can I be efficient? And there’s going to be nights where I, you know, don’t don’t shoot the ball well or whatever, but like how can we be efficient? It’s not just scoring, you I’m trying to continue to get on the boards, get the assists, get my turnovers down, get to the free throw line. But, you know, right now it’s just continuing to to be aggressive and and tacking spurts in my spots and do it within the flow of the game and um that’s all I’m doing. In terms of flow of the game, when you have so many able scorers on the floor at the same time, how do you find that kind of balance between the the distribution, everybody to make sure everyone gets touches and feels involved and all that? Um, I mean, it’s it’s all within flow, right? And I think the way we play is um you know allows that you know it’s a simple if I get the rebound or if I get the outlet you know throwing it ahead um to Sam or throwing it ahead to Dre like you know allowing that to play out and if the ball comes back to me it comes back to me right getting in the paint um creating finding guys you know in the pocket you know what I mean different things but you know it’s all within flow you the game is always going to give you the answer you’re right there’s always going to be something there and sometimes you know you got to go ahead and force the issue sometimes you have to continue to to step off and step away you I think that first half, you know, just, hey, I wasn’t making shots, but Dre and Ever going, so just continuing to take my shots. And they weren’t bad shots. Just weren’t going in. Um, and then continuing to let guys just be themselves, right? Like, you know, it’s just a balance. You got to find and it’s never ever going to be like, oh man, we played a perfect there’s a perfect, you know, game. There’s always going to be times where it can be better. Um, but it’s just a take what the game gives you. What What went through your mind when you saw DeAndre’s crossover? Um, I was more impressed with the the dunk, too. Like, he followed it up, like, you know what I mean? Like, he was he went there. I just was in shock because I I I don’t want to say this, but like I didn’t know I didn’t know he had that in him. You know what I’m saying? I knew he had the cross. That was crazy. My apologies. Um, but the cross and then I didn’t realize that there was no contact. Like, it was just, you know, straight ankle breaker and then he got to him and finished it. So, um, if you look at me, I’m just I don’t have any words. I I’m just like in shock, but, um, that was that was tough. Um, and you know, I’m grateful that Josh Giddy’s okay, obviously, and I know he he was off, um, limping off, but it was it was all time play for sure. What was the difference for you between the first half and second half? Started with the rim. I was like, come on. Um, sorry. I didn’t mean to curse, but I talked to you earlier. This pissed me off. Like, they were already they were already what 11 to 15 from three. But hey, sometimes you just need a little a little, you know what I’m saying? Then I didn’t get the foul call for the and one. That also kind of got me going. Um, but also like just the energy level, not just myself, but as a group, you know, Jaylen um, doing a great job on the ball. Dre, like Dre and Ev kept us in it. You know, we’re not there without them continuing being who they are. and they they took their energy to another level and then allowed me to come in and do my thing when the time when presented itself. Um, but as a group, our energy just, you know, went to a different level. And that’s just us as a group. That’s that mental, you know, that I’ve been talking about. Like, we’re down 16, second night back to back, the fastest team in the league. They’re playing well. They’re hitting shots. And there was a point in time where I’m like, we’re doing 98% of the work. Like, we’re doing a great job. And then we’ll give it like a little drive, right? And then it goes up to like a six-point game. You know what I mean? So, like, we’re doing a great job. But then finally we find a way to push through and it took all 15 of us, you know what I mean? That that was great. You mentioned the fouling. They got 36 free throw attempts and just getting they got 36 free throw attempts getting to the line. Um and obviously it came down to you guys having to deal with 6 and 1/2 minutes left on the clock in bonus. How did you fight through that? That’s the that’s the mental, right? Like you know I mean we could have sat there and chalked the game like oh we fought but the refs kind of gave it away. No, we we found a way to do it, you know, within throughout all that. And that’s what you want, you know, and that’s what I said. This season’s all about progression, right? How do we find ways to continue to to battle through things? You know, you’re going to be in the playoff series when you’re at home when you feel like you should get all the calls and didn’t happen. You know what I mean? Hi, Drake. Um, you know, just finding ways to continue to mentally push through and persevere and that’s what you saw tonight. saw the game that you brought JT onto the floor to do the interview with Serena. Just the trust and and the way that he came through there at the end to to I think it was two threes. He had a drive on Herder. There was a bunch of stuff that he did. Yeah, he’s he’s you’re seeing a it’s it’s it’s crazy, man. You’re seeing a real life progression in just 10 games. It’s been 10 games. 10 games. Like it’s it’s unheard of typically for a young player on a contending team, right? Like you don’t really, you know, see that. And for it to be not just the threes and I I tell him all the time I don’t care if you make threes or miss threes. It’s the playing in the half roll. Like that little play we did at the end of the game is the same thing we do in WS is like a joke. Like you mean like kind of like cuz I’m always on them like the half roll and giving it like we we we mess around with it and then we come down and make a crucial play in the game, right? He’s getting stops. He’s on the boards. He’s pressuring full court. Man’s he was the first one here today. He was tired as hell last night. Um cuz he’s been asked to do so much and comes in and has another another night. Like that. That right there is is a special um human, man. And it’s it’s great to see him continue to put the work and effort in. My challenge is is like, hey, you’ve only done it 10 times. Like, can we do it 12? Can we do it 82? Can we do it in the playoffs in the moments? And he doesn’t shy away from the moment, which you know, as a locker room, as the vets or the older guys or whatever, you know, we trust in him and that’s big time.

Cleveland Cavaliers forward De’Andre Hunter, Jaylon Tyson, and guard Donovan Mitchell spoke with the media in the locker room following a 128-122 win over the Chicago Bulls on November 9, 2025 at Rocket Arena.

DE’ANDRE HUNTER 0:00
JAYLON TYSON 5:01
DONOVAN MITCHELL 8:14