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CLEVELAND — The Cavaliers have virtually nothing to gain in their regular-season finale Sunday, April 12, against the Washington Wizards.

It’s why the Cavs will rest most of their key players with an eye toward the first round of the NBA playoffs. The Cavs have secured the fourth seed in the Eastern Conference and will face either the Atlanta Hawks or Toronto Raptors in Round 1. Cleveland’s game against Washington has no bearing on which first-round opponent it will encounter. By approximately 9 p.m., the Cavs will know whether the Hawks or Raptors have clinched the fifth seed. Game 1 will be April 18 or April 19 in Cleveland.

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In the meantime, Cavs (51-30) versus Wizards (17-64) is scheduled to tip off at 6 p.m. Check back here for updates throughout the regular-season finale at Rocket Arena.

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Cleveland Cavaliers highlights. The best images from each game of the 2025-26 season

SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA – FEBRUARY 07: James Harden #1 of the Cleveland Cavaliers celebrates with Donovan Mitchell #45 after making a three-point shot in the fourth quarter against the Sacramento Kings at Golden 1 Center on February 07, 2026 in Sacramento, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)

Cavaliers injury report vs. Wizards

The Cavs have ruled out the following players against the Wizards: center Jarrett Allen (right knee injury maintenance), center Thomas Bryant (left calf strain), guard Keon Ellis (left knee contusion), point guard James Harden (rest), guard Sam Merrill (left hamstring injury maintenance), guard Donovan Mitchell (right ankle injury maintenance), forward Evan Mobley (left calf injury maintenance), point guard Dennis Schroder (rest) and forward Dean Wade (right ankle injury maintenance).

Cavs coach Kenny Atkinson said during his pregame media availability Bryant is the only player on Cleveland’s roster who might miss the start of the playoffs due to injury. “To be determined with him,” Atkinson said.

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Cavs news: Cavaliers will face Hawks or Raptors in first round of NBA playoffs

Dec 14, 2025; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard Jaylon Tyson (20) brings the ball up court in the first quarter against the Charlotte Hornets at Rocket Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-Imagn Images

Dec 14, 2025; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard Jaylon Tyson (20) brings the ball up court in the first quarter against the Charlotte Hornets at Rocket Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-Imagn Images

The Wizards ruled out the following players against the Cavs: guard/forward Bilal Coulibaly (right retrocalcaneal bursitis), center Anthony Davis (left finger sprain), forward Kyshawn George (left elbow sprain), guard Tre Johnson (right foot sprain; low back strain), guard D’Angelo Russell (not with team), center Alex Sarr (left big toe capsulitis), center Tristan Vukcevic (right knee contusion), guard/forward Cam Whitmore (right shoulder deep vein thrombosis) and guard Trae Young (low back pain; right quad contusion).

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The Wizards listed forward Anthony Gill (cervical/lumbar contusion; post-traumatic headache) as available to face the Cavs.

Cavs history: Cavaliers cherish ‘Miracle of Richfield’ as 50th anniversary arrives

Jim Chones looks back on his days with the Cavs while standing on the site of the former Richfield Coliseum on April 16, 2001.

Jim Chones looks back on his days with the Cavs while standing on the site of the former Richfield Coliseum on April 16, 2001.

Cleveland Cavaliers will honor Cavs legend Jim Chones

Here is a news release from the Cavs:

The Cleveland Cavaliers will honor and congratulate Jim Chones for his 26 years as a team broadcaster during his final regular season call on April 12 at Rocket Arena versus the Washington Wizards. After the postseason, he will transition into a new role featuring appearances on Cavs Audio Verse and Rock Entertainment Sports Network (RESN), while remaining active in the community through the Cavaliers Legends program.

A former standout player, Chones spent five seasons with Cleveland, including the 1975–76 “Miracle of Richfield” team, and ranks seventh in franchise history in blocks (450) and ninth in rebounds (3,790). He won an NBA championship with the Lakers in 1980, and his No. 22 jersey was retired by Marquette in 2025.

He was inducted into the Cavaliers Wall of Honor in 2024, a program established during the team’s 50th season to permanently recognize individuals who have made a distinguished and pivotal impact on Cavaliers history.

Cavs game on TV today. How can I watch, stream or listen to Cavaliers vs. Wizards?

The April 12 game between the Cavs and Wizards will be televised locally by FanDuel Sports Network — Ohio. The local radio broadcast can be heard via WTAM (1100-AM) or WMMS (100.7-FM).

Apr 10, 2026; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard James Harden (1) watches a shot against the Atlanta Hawks during the first half at State Farm Arena. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images

Apr 10, 2026; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard James Harden (1) watches a shot against the Atlanta Hawks during the first half at State Farm Arena. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images

Cavs schedule. When do playoffs start NBA?

The top six teams in each of the NBA’s two conferences at the end of regular season automatically qualify for the playoffs. The teams placing seventh through 10th compete in the Play-In Tournament for the final two playoff seeds.

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The Play-In Tournament is slated to run from April 14-17. The playoffs are slated to begin April 18.

The Cavs will hold Game 1 of their first-round series April 18 or April 19 at Rocket Arena.

The Akron Beacon Journal sports department can be contacted via email at bjsports@thebeaconjournal.com.

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Cavaliers score vs Washington Wizards, live game updates, injury news



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