Cavaliers Reach 60 Wins for the First Time Without LeBron James

Let’s be honest — for a long time, any major success in Cleveland basketball had one name attached to it: LeBron James. And fair enough. He’s the hometown hero who brought the city its first title in over 50 years. But this year? This team? They’re doing something different. They’re building something that’s entirely their own.

On Sunday, the Cavaliers pulled off a gritty 127-122 win over the LA Clippers. It wasn’t just another W — it was their 60th of the season. That’s only the third time in franchise history they’ve hit that number. And for the first time, LeBron James isn’t part of the equation.

“It feels great,” said Donovan Mitchell, grinning postgame. “You’ve gotta celebrate the little wins, and this one’s pretty big too. The work we’ve all put in — it’s paying off.”

A Fresh Start, A New Identity

When Kenny Atkinson took over as head coach this past offseason, he wasn’t thinking about 60 wins. Not even close. He just wanted the team to be better than last year.

“If we improved by one or two wins, I would’ve been happy,” Atkinson admitted. “But these guys? They took it way further. And that says everything about them.”

Atkinson isn’t new to coaching, but what he’s done in his first season in Cleveland is rare. Only 12 other coaches in NBA history have won 60 games in their first year with a new team. That alone puts him in special company. But beyond the stats, there’s a sense of culture forming here — a team-first, no-star-above-the-rest kind of vibe.

LeBron’s Legacy Still Looms, But This Team Isn’t Looking Back

Nobody’s pretending LeBron doesn’t matter to this city. How could they? He’s a living legend in Cleveland, and his 2016 championship will be talked about forever. But there’s something refreshing happening with this current roster. They’re not trying to replace him — they’re just trying to make something that’s theirs.

“LeBron’s always going to be the face of this city,” said Jarrett Allen. “That’s just facts. But we’re doing something now that’s meaningful in a different way. We’re carving our own path.”

Allen had a monster game against the Clippers — 25 points, 12 rebounds — his 39th double-double of the season. But like the rest of this team, he’s not about chasing headlines. He’s all about substance.

The Road Hasn’t Been Easy

This win felt even sweeter considering how shaky things got earlier this month. After riding a 16-game winning streak — the longest of the season — the Cavs suddenly hit a wall. A loss to Orlando on March 16 started a four-game skid, their longest slump all year.

“We were slipping,” Atkinson admitted. “The Detroit loss… not our best. Then the Clippers beat us bad out in L.A. We needed to bounce back mentally more than anything.”

And that’s exactly what they’ve done. Cleveland has now won four of its last five games, re-establishing momentum just in time for the home stretch. This win against the Clippers wasn’t perfect — they gave up a lot of points — but it was tough, focused, and full of effort. Exactly what you want to see in late March.

Source: Cavaliers reach 60 wins for first time without LeBron James

More Than Just Numbers

With seven games left on the schedule, the Cavaliers now sit 4.5 games ahead of the Celtics for the top seed in the East. That’s huge — home-court advantage in the playoffs could be a game-changer. But Coach Atkinson isn’t obsessed with seeding.

“If you asked me, I’d rather have our guys healthy and playing the right way,” he said. “The first seed would be great, but we’re more focused on getting better every day. Keep the momentum, keep building.”

It’s that mindset — steady growth, not just highlight moments — that has defined this team all season.

And it’s not like this group just appeared out of nowhere. They’ve been slowly building. Last season, they won their first playoff series without LeBron since 1993, edging out the Magic in a gritty seven-game battle. That felt like a breakthrough. This year feels like a leap.

This Team Belongs to Everyone

There’s no single face of this franchise right now, and maybe that’s what makes it work. Mitchell is clearly a star, Garland is electric, Mobley is blossoming, and Allen is the glue. But it’s not about any one guy.

“Everything’s felt like a step forward since I got here,” Allen said. “We’re not just treading water — we’re building.”

The city feels that, too. There’s an energy in Cleveland that’s different. Hopeful, but grounded. People know this team isn’t just hot — they’re for real.

And now, with the playoffs looming, it’s all about staying locked in.

Looking Ahead: The Real Test Starts Now

Reaching 60 wins is a major milestone — no one’s denying that. But the Cavaliers know the real work is still ahead. The postseason will test everything they’ve built: their chemistry, their depth, their leadership.

Still, if this season has proven anything, it’s that this team has what it takes. They’ve come through adversity, they’ve grown without shortcuts, and most importantly, they’ve earned every bit of success.

Sunday’s win wasn’t just a number in the standings — it was a moment. A message.

This isn’t LeBron’s team anymore.

It’s Cleveland’s.

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