Cavaliers' Tyson Claims Cleveland is 'Donovan Mitchell's City'

Teammate makes bold statement after win over Lakers and LeBron James tribute

Jan. 28, 2026 at 9:15pm

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Following the Cleveland Cavaliers' dominant 129-99 win over the Los Angeles Lakers, Cavaliers player Jaylon Tyson claimed that Cleveland is now 'Donovan Mitchell's city' rather than LeBron James' city, even as the team honored James with a tribute during the game.

Why it matters

This statement by Tyson is a bold declaration that the Cavaliers franchise has moved on from the LeBron James era and is now centered around their star player Donovan Mitchell. It raises questions about the team's identity and the legacy of LeBron James in Cleveland.

The details

During a postgame interview, Tyson grabbed the microphone and stated 'This is Donovan Mitchell's city now. When (Mitchell) comes back here, we're gonna make sure everyone roots for him like they did for (LeBron). This is his stuff. This is his city.' Mitchell, who was standing next to Tyson, looked away as Tyson made the claim.

  • The Cavaliers defeated the Lakers 129-99 on January 29, 2026.
  • The Cavaliers wore throwback uniforms and played a tribute video for LeBron James during the game.

The players

Jaylon Tyson

A player for the Cleveland Cavaliers who made the bold claim that Cleveland is now 'Donovan Mitchell's city'.

Donovan Mitchell

The star player for the Cleveland Cavaliers, who Tyson claimed the city now belongs to.

LeBron James

The former Cleveland Cavaliers player who was honored with a tribute video during the game, but whom Tyson claimed has been surpassed by Donovan Mitchell as the face of the franchise.

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What they’re saying

“This is Donovan Mitchell's city now. When (Mitchell) comes back here, we're gonna make sure everyone roots for him like they did for (LeBron). This is his stuff. This is his city.”

— Jaylon Tyson, Cavaliers Player (Underdog NBA)

What’s next

It remains to be seen how Cavaliers fans and the city of Cleveland will react to Tyson's bold claim, and whether Mitchell will embrace the idea of being the new face of the franchise.

The takeaway

Tyson's statement is a clear indication that the Cavaliers organization sees Donovan Mitchell as the new leader of the team, potentially signaling the end of the LeBron James era in Cleveland. This shift in the team's identity could have significant implications for the franchise and its relationship with its fanbase.