Cavaliers beat Wizards in finale, will play Raptors in first round of playoffs

CLEVELAND — It's almost time for playoff basketball. The Cavaliers wrapped up the 2025-26 regular season Sunday with a 130-117 victory over the Washington Wizards at Rocket Arena. No. 4 seed Cleveland (52-30) will host the fifth-seeded Toronto Raptors on either Saturday or Sunday in their best-of-seven series. "It's exciting," Cavs coach Kenny Atkinson said. "We're a better team than we were pre-trades. The front office did a phenomenal job adding those pieces (James Harden, Keon Ellis and Dennis Schroder)." The Raptors (46-36) finished 3-0 vs. Cleveland during the regular season. "Toronto is no picnic," Atkinson said. "They dominated us (during the regular season). I have a lot of respect for them. They deserve to be where they are. It will be a great challenge for us. They are a really good team." The Cavs rested nine players, including all five starters, in the Washington game. Cleveland turned the ball over 19 times, including seven by rookie guard Tyrese Proctor. However, Proctor more than made up for the miscues by flirting with a triple-double. He finished with a career-high 22 points, a game-high 11 rebounds, a team-high eight assists and one steal. Atkinson said he thinks Proctor was a steal with the 49th overall pick in the 2025 draft. "From Day 1, he's proven that he belongs," he said. "Once his body catches up, he'll be a big-time player in this league." Forward Nae'Qwan Tomlin led all scorers with 28 points, eight rebounds and five assists, while swingman Jaylon Tyson added 18 points and six rebounds. "I'm super grateful to be back," Tyson said of missing 10 games with a bone bruise in his left big toe. "That was rough for me. "My goal is to impact us winning in the playoffs. I'm so proud of this team. We have 18 guys who can compete at a high level." The Cavaliers won their 16th consecutive game against the Wizards (17-65) since 2022, which is the second-longest winning streak against any team in franchise history. It is also Cleveland's longest active winning streak against any NBA team. Atkinson said his playoff rotation isn't finalized, as of yet. "We're looking for guys who can rebound, defend and do the dirty work," he said. Tyson, Proctor, Tomlin, Craig Porter Jr. and others went through grinding workout sessions over the summer, Atkinson said. "We put them through boot camp," the coach said. "They kept us afloat for much of the year. It's really about them tonight." Tyson said he remained in Cleveland most of the summer. "It gave me an edge," he said. Proctor said it prepared them for the season. "Having that mental edge is important," he said. Forward Jamir Watkins had a career-high 24 points for the Wizards, while Bub Carrington and Sharife Cooper added 20 apiece. Bob Finnan can be reached at rfinnan30@gmail.com. Follow him @BobCavsinsider on X.