Ty Jerome Shines as Key Contributor in Cavaliers’ Dominant Season

CLEVELAND, Ohio — Ty Jerome, the Cleveland Cavaliers‘ backup guard, has emerged as a pivotal player in the team’s dominant 2023-24 NBA season. The Cavaliers, sitting atop the Eastern Conference with a 37-9 record, owe part of their success to Jerome’s career-best performance, including a 20-point outing in a 101-91 victory over the Atlanta Hawks on Jan. 30, 2025.

In his sixth NBA season, Jerome is averaging career highs of 10.8 points per game while shooting 50.6% from the field and 44.1% from three-point range. His recent performances, including a career-high 33-point game against the Philadelphia 76ers, have solidified his role as a key rotation piece for the Cavaliers.

Head coach Kenny Atkinson, who first worked with Jerome during the 2022-23 season, praised the 27-year-old’s consistency and growth. “I think it’s real. You wonder, can he sustain? Can he keep doing it this long?” Atkinson said. “We’re almost at the All-Star break, and it’s hard to keep him on the bench. He’s in the conversation as a major rotation piece.”

Jerome’s resurgence comes after a challenging 2023-24 season, where an ankle injury limited him to just two games. This year, however, he has stayed healthy and capitalized on increased opportunities. “I think some of it’s confidence, some of it’s opportunity,” Jerome said. “When your teammates trust you and the coaching staff trusts you, you kind of just go out there and play free.”

Star guard Donovan Mitchell highlighted Jerome’s versatility and reliability. “He’s a microwave in a sense,” Mitchell said. “He’s out there finding ways to create. He’s a guy you trust with the ball in his hands to make the right plays, initiate the offense, and get 30 when it’s needed.”

Jerome’s contributions have been invaluable to the Cavaliers’ success this season. As the team continues its push toward the playoffs, his ability to deliver in critical moments will remain a key factor. “You need a guy like that,” Mitchell added. “Someone who’s selfless but also understands that when it’s his time, he’s there for us.”