Cleveland Cavaliers Power Forward Evan Mobley was named the Eastern Conference’s Defensive Player of the Month for February. He is the first player in league history to be named the Defensive Player of the Month twice in a season. He previously won the award in November.
Mobley is having a career season for the Cleveland Cavaliers this year. He is averaging a career-high 18.6 points along with 9.3 rebounds and 1.6 blocks per game. He is eighth in the league in blocks per game. With San Antonio Spurs Center Victor Wembanyama sidelined for the remainder of the season, Mobley is a sizable favorite to be named the Defensive Player of the Year. Will Mobley be able to keep up his level of play as the Cleveland Cavaliers look to finish the regular season well?
Cleveland Cavaliers Season Summary
The Predicament this season:
18.6 PPG (career-high)
9.3 RPG
1.6 BPG
1.1 3PM (career-high)
56.7 FG%The first player in NBA history to win multiple Defensive Player of the Month awards. pic.twitter.com/RuZbxDbLhq
— StatMuse (@statmuse) March 4, 2025
Cleveland has been tremendous this regular season. They have the league’s best record with approximately 20 games left in the regular season. They are also in the midst of a 10-game winning streak. The Cavaliers have been paced by a top-flight offense. They are second in points per game, second in field goal percentage, and the best team in the league in three-point percentage. Assisted by Mobley, Cleveland is also eighth in the league in rebounding.
Cleveland’s defense, while still strong, has been the weaker part of the squad this season. They are 11th in points allowed, fourth in opposing field goal percentage, and 19th in opposing three-point percentage. The Cavaliers are also middling at turning over the opposition. Mobley is 16th in the league in Defensive Win Shares anchoring the unit this year.
Final Thoughts
Cleveland returns to the court this evening when they visit the Chicago Bulls. Unfortunately, Mobley will not suit up tonight as he will rest. It will be only his seventh missed game of the regular season. Having played 54 games this season, Mobley must play a minimum of 65 games to qualify for any NBA award. Mobley will look to continue playing well in the hopes of securing Defensive Player of the Year honors.
