After sitting out the first two games of the season, Cleveland Cavaliers rookie Meleek Thomas is making an impact now and will be out to continue the momentum on Wednesday at home against the Washington Wizards.
Thomas, a second-round draft pick out of Arkansas, scored 16 points in 19 minutes off the bench in his professional debut Monday as the Cavaliers rallied from a 15-point deficit to stun the Minnesota Timberwolves 127-125 in overtime.
“Give him a round of applause,” Cleveland veteran guard Donovan Mitchell said. “For a rookie debut, that kid is going to be special. He was the spark. Talk about it.”
Mitchell scored 26 points, including the go-ahead hoop in OT, and James Harden overcame a slow start to post 19 points and nine assists while handing Minnesota its first loss.
But it was the 20-year-old Thomas who ignited the comeback, sinking 4 of 5 shots from 3-point range and 6 of 10 total from the floor after finally getting his name called by Cavaliers coach Kenny Atkinson.
“Meleek understands things, he’s intelligent, he asks questions,” Atkinson said. “The vets love him. They appreciate him because he knows how to play, but also because he’s receptive and curious. It’s a rare profile. Really rare.”
Thomas raised eyebrows with his strong production during the summer league in Las Vegas. He followed that with a confident attitude throughout training camp, which made Harden and center Jarrett Allen eager to see him in action.
“I really want to say nothing surprised me for my first game, it was everything I expected,” Thomas said. “Everything I’ve seen in the media, it’s real. The players that do what they do on the court like Don and James, they really put that work in.”
Cleveland enters on a 16-game winning streak against Washington, tied for the longest active streak in the league. The Cavaliers’ record winning streak over a team is 17 games against the Orlando Magic from 2013-17.
Washington also played Monday, dropping a 110-103 road decision against the Charlotte Hornets while Anthony Davis and Justin Champagnie dealt with injuries.
Davis was struck by an opposing player on the right hand, according to Wizards coach Brian Keefe. He played the rest of the game and scored 29 points with 10 rebounds, but flexed his hand during every stoppage of play in the fourth quarter.
Swingman Champagnie (right foot) had to be helped to the locker room after landing on another player’s foot.
“Whatever (Justin) is going through, we’re going to be right there with him and we’re going to make sure he’s right,” said Wizards point guard Trae Young, who had 22 points and 10 assists at Charlotte. “That’s the worst feeling in the world. We’ll hold down the fort while he’s gone.”
It also remains uncertain if No. 1 overall pick AJ Dybantsa will be in uniform after performing on-court work Tuesday at practice. His NBA debut appears imminent, as he posted on multiple social media accounts.
The former BYU standout and NCAA scoring champion sprained his left ankle in the Wizards’ final preseason game on Oct. 16 against the New Orleans Pelicans.
“I’m sitting out my first games as a pro with an ankle,” Dybantsa posted to his LinkedIn page. “Not what I drew up. But I’ve been patient before, and I know it pays off even when it doesn’t happen the way you imagined.
“A few more days of hard work is nothing. Back soon.”
Keefe said Dybantsa “is progressing in a very positive way.”
The Cavaliers are 2-0 at home and Washington is 1-1 on the road.
