The Cleveland Cavaliers are set to welcome the Charlotte Hornets to the Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse this Monday night in a key Eastern Conference matchup of the 2025 NBA season. Both teams enter the contest looking to build momentum, but for starkly different reasons.
Team Form and Recent Struggles
The Cavaliers, despite holding a 15-14 overall record, find themselves in a worrying slump. They have lost eight of their last eleven games, including their most recent three in a row. Back-to-back defeats to the Chicago Bulls (127-111 and 136-125) have highlighted their current struggles. A major factor has been persistent injuries, with the core quartet of Donovan Mitchell, Darius Garland, Evan Mobley, and Jarrett Allen sharing the court for only four out of 29 games this season.
Conversely, the Charlotte Hornets, with a 9-19 overall standing, have shown flickers of improvement by winning two of their last three outings. However, they are coming off a heavy 112-86 loss to the Detroit Pistons on Saturday and will be eager to bounce back quickly.
Key Players and Injury Updates
All eyes will be on the Cavaliers' injury report, which could bring positive news. Star guard Donovan Mitchell (illness) and shooter Sam Merrill (hand) are both listed as probable, potentially offering Cleveland much-needed firepower. However, they will still be without key big man Evan Mobley (calf), along with Larry Nance Jr. and Max Strus.
For the Hornets, the spotlight shines brightly on rookie sensation Kon Knueppel. The fourth overall pick in the 2025 draft is averaging 19.4 points per game, leading all first-year players and ranking second on his team. He torched the Cavaliers for 29 points in an overtime victory earlier this month. Charlotte's floor general, LaMelo Ball (wrist), is probable to play, but they will likely be without Collin Sexton (quad), who is listed as doubtful.
When, Where, and How to Watch
The game is scheduled for Monday, December 22, at 7:00 PM ET. It will be part of the Peacock NBA Monday doubleheader, with full coverage broadcast on Peacock and NBC from the Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in Cleveland. According to the latest odds, the Cavaliers are 9.5-point favourites at home, with the over/under set at 239.5 points.
Predicted Starting Lineups and Game Outlook
Cleveland Cavaliers: PG Darius Garland, SG Donovan Mitchell, SF Jaylon Tyson, PF Dean Wade, C Jarrett Allen.
Charlotte Hornets: PG LaMelo Ball, SG Kon Knueppel, SF Brandon Miller, PF Miles Bridges, C Moussa Diabate.
This matchup presents a critical opportunity for the Cavaliers to stop their downward spiral. The possible return of Mitchell adds a significant boost, but containing the hot-shooting Knueppel will be paramount. For the Hornets, building on their recent modest success and pulling off an upset on the road would be a massive confidence booster. The stage is set for a compelling NBA Monday night battle where Cleveland's resilience will be tested against Charlotte's emerging rookie talent.
