Unlikely hero Ty Jerome ignites red-hot Cavaliers

Ty Jerome had a slow start with the Cleveland Cavaliers in the 2023-24 season, making only two appearances. However, he has since worked his way up to a prominent role off the bench, showcasing his skills and earning the trust of his team.

Jerome is coming off one of his best performances of the 2024-25 campaign, scoring 26 points (9-for-14 FG), along with three rebounds, six assists, one block and four steals across 28 minutes in Sunday’s 122-108 win over Toronto. It marked his third 20-plus point outpour over his last four games.

Through 18 appearances this season, including two starts, Jerome is averaging a solid line of 12.6 points, 2.1 rebounds, 3.8 assists and 1.3 steals across 19.0 minutes per game. He’s enjoying the role of being the primary backup point guard behind Darius Garland, and while the season is just one month old, Jerome is already putting up career-best numbers in both points and assists per game. The six-year veteran is impacting games when the Cavs need him the most.

He logged 32 minutes with 24 points and a season-high 8 assists in a 128-114 win over the Charlotte Hornets on Nov. 17. He got the start in a 128-100 blowout win over the New Orleans Pelicans last Wednesday where he notched a season-high 28 points, including going 7-for-12 from three-point range.

The Cavaliers remain a step or two below the Celtics, suffering their lone loss of the season in Boston last Tuesday.  However, there’s no question the Cavaliers look like a more complete team compared to their 2023-24 version.

Jerome has played a significant role in that. His contributions off the bench have given the coaching staff a sense of security in the backcourt and appears ready to fill the shoes of any starter who might be sidelined on any given night. His numbers might experience a regression as the season advances, but Jerome seems ready to take the definitive leap in his career.

After playing for three different organizations in his first four years in the league, and going through an injury-riddled campaign in 2023-24, his first year in Cleveland, there’s no question Jerome seems ready to take a  definitive leap in his career. Needless to say, he’s doing it one game at a time while providing a massive lift for the Cavaliers as their primary offensive weapon off the bench.