CLEVELAND — The 2025-26 Cavaliers have been a colossal disappointment thus far. Everyone involved with the Cavs is waiting to learn whether they will become healthier and reverse their fortunes or instead end up with a lost season sure to prompt a roster shake-up.
If the Cavs (15-13) are going to show life, a trio of consecutive home games against sub-.500 opponents would be a good time to do it. The Cavs host the Chicago Bulls (11-15) on Dec. 19, the Charlotte Hornets (9-18) on Dec. 22 and the New Orleans Pelicans (6-22) on Dec. 23.
Tip-off for the first of those three games, Cavs versus Bulls, is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. at Rocket Arena. The Cavs fell 127-111 on Dec. 17 in Chicago. Check back here for updates throughout the rematch.
Below is some pregame information.
The Cavs ruled out forward Evan Mobley (left calf strain), guard Sam Merrill (right hand sprain), forward/center Larry Nance Jr. (right calf strain), small forward Max Strus (offseason foot surgery) and forward Chris Livingston (two-way contract).
The Cavs listed guard Donovan Mitchell (illness), guard Craig Porter Jr. (illness) and forward Luke Travers (two-way contract) as questionable to play, but coach Kenny Atkinson said Mitchell and Porter will be out and Travers has been summoned to play.
The Bulls ruled out forward Noa Essengue (left shoulder surgery), Trentyn Flowers (two-way contract), forward Emanuel Miller (two-way contract) and forward/center Lachlan Olbrich (two-way contract).
After listing forward/center Zach Collins (left wrist soreness), guard Ayo Dosunmu (right thumb sprain) and guard Tre Jones (left hamstring tightness) as probable to play, the Bulls have declared them available to face the Cavs.
With Mitchell and Porter out, rookie guard Tyrese Proctor will make his first career regular-season NBA start.
The Cavs also announced they will start point guard Darius Garland, small forward Jaylon Tyson, forward Dean Wade and center Jarrett Allen.
The Cavs will visit the New York Knicks at noon on Dec. 25 for one of the NBA’s five games on Christmas Day. The nationally televised game can be viewed on ABC and ESPN.
Unlike the Cavs, the Knicks have been living up to the hype this season. Entering Dec. 19’s games, the Knicks were 19-7 and second in the Eastern Conference.
How can I watch, stream Cavs game tonight vs. Bulls? How can I listed to Cavaliers game on radio?
The local TV broadcast of Cavs vs. Bulls can be viewed via FanDuel Sports Network — Ohio. The radio broadcast can be heard locally via WTAM (1100-AM) or WMMS (100.7-FM).
Nate Ulrich is the sports columnist of the Akron Beacon Journal and a sports features writer. Nate can be reached at nulrich@thebeaconjournal.com. On Twitter: @ByNateUlrich.