Cavaliers Vs Bucks: Schroder’s first start, waved-off Allen putback in 118-116 loss
The cavaliers vs bucks game on Feb. 25, 2026 ended in a 118-116 road loss for Cleveland, a result that hinged on a waved-off Jarrett Allen putback and a late Dennis Schroder drive. The margin and the finish matter because Cleveland was short-handed and still nearly stole the game.
Cavaliers Vs Bucks: final moments and the waved-off putback
The final sequence defined the night: the Bucks beat the Cavaliers 118-116, and Jarrett Allen had a potential game-tying putback that was waved off. Dennis Schroder had earlier converted a game-tying floater with under 40 seconds to play, but Allen’s putback did not stand and the short-handed Cavs left Milwaukee without the win.
Short-handed Cavs missing Donovan Mitchell, James Harden and Evan Mobley
Cleveland played without Donovan Mitchell, James Harden and Evan Mobley, a trio of starters who were out for the game. Even on the road against the Bucks the Cavs managed to hang around, but they ultimately came up short in what was described as a hard-fought loss.
Dennis Schroder’s first start: 26 points, 5 assists and an ankle roll
Schroder earned his first start as a Cavalier and finished with 26 points and 5 assists. He rolled his ankle during the game but stayed in and kept attacking as a ball-handler and point-of-attack deterrent; those attacks helped put Cleveland in front at one point and Schroder converted the late floater that tied the score with under 40 seconds remaining.
Bench trio of Schroder, Keon Ellis and Craig Porter Jr. sparked a comeback
Before the final sequence, Keon Ellis and Craig Porter Jr. joined Schroder to form a chaotic, energetic trio off the bench. Porter’s downhill drives in the third quarter helped get Cleveland back into a groove after earlier struggles to break Milwaukee’s shell, and Porter attacked open space then dished the rock to Jarrett Allen to re-establish a paint presence. Ellis combined diving steals and loose-ball energy with a 4-of-8 three-point shooting night, a mix that has quickly made him a fan favorite.
Frontcourt role players and the interior touches
Thomas Bryant supplied a reliable frontcourt option whenever Cleveland needed him, and Jarrett Allen was involved on interior looks that included the dishing sequence from Porter. Even with those contributions, Allen’s putback being waved off in the final moments left the Cavs without the decisive bucket they needed.
Milwaukee’s three-point plan: AJ Green, Kyle Kuzma and 19-of-45 accuracy
Milwaukee landed on a clear plan: hunt three-pointers. The Bucks settled for early triples and then found a rhythm when Cleveland failed to rotate and recover at the point of attack, allowing drives-and-kicks that led to open looks. AJ Green shot 5-for-10 from deep and Kyle Kuzma also converted 5-for-10 of his attempts while shooting 32. 5% from downtown this season. The Bucks finished 19 of 45 (42. 2%) from three-point range, a volume and accuracy that the Cavs — shorthanded — should have limited; a better defensive showing would have guaranteed them the win.
Coaching decisions and detailed statistics beyond those noted are unclear in the provided context.
