2002–03 Cleveland Cavaliers season

2002–03 Cleveland Cavaliers season
Head coachJohn Lucas (8–34)
Keith Smart (9–31)
ArenaGund Arena
Results
Record17–65 (.207)
PlaceDivision: 8th (Central)
Conference: 15th (Eastern)
Playoff finishDid not qualify
Stats at Basketball Reference
Local media
TelevisionFox Sports Net Ohio · WUAB
RadioWTAM

The 2002–03 Cleveland Cavaliers season was the 33rd season for the Cleveland Cavaliers in the National Basketball Association.[1] The Cavaliers received the sixth overall pick in the 2002 NBA draft, and selected shooting guard Dajuan Wagner from the University of Memphis, and also selected power forward Carlos Boozer out of Duke University with the 34th overall pick.[2][3][4] During the off-season, the team acquired Darius Miles from the Los Angeles Clippers,[5][6][7] acquired Milt Palacio from the Phoenix Suns, and signed free agent, and undrafted rookie point guard Smush Parker.[8]

After a 2–2 start to the regular season, the Cavaliers suffered a dreadful 15-game losing streak between November and December. Head coach John Lucas was fired after an 8–34 start to the season, and was replaced with Keith Smart, as the team later on held a 10–40 record at the All-Star break.[9] At mid-season, Tyrone Hill was released to free agency, and re-signed as a free agent with his former team, the Philadelphia 76ers, while Bimbo Coles was also released and signed with the Boston Celtics. The Cavaliers posted a 7-game losing streak between February and March, and finished in last place in the Central Division with a 17–65 record, which was tied for the worst record in the league along with the Denver Nuggets;[10] it was also the team's worst record since the 1981–82 season. The Cavaliers also missed the NBA playoffs for the fifth consecutive year.

Ricky Davis showed improvement averaging 20.6 points, 5.5 assists and 1.6 steals per game, while Zydrunas Ilgauskas averaged 17.2 points, 7.5 rebounds and 1.9 blocks per game, and Wagner provided the team with 13.4 points per game, but only played just 47 games due to a knee injury. In addition, Boozer provided with 10.0 points and 7.5 rebounds per game, and was named to the NBA All-Rookie Second Team, while Jumaine Jones contributed 9.8 points and 5.1 rebounds per game, and led the Cavaliers with 111 three-point field goals, and Miles averaged 9.2 points and 5.4 rebounds per game. Meanwhile, Parker contributed 6.2 points and 2.5 assists per game, Chris Mihm averaged 5.9 points and 4.4 rebounds per game, and Palacio provided with 5.0 points and 3.2 assists per game.[11]

During the NBA All-Star weekend at the Philips Arena in Atlanta, Georgia, Ilgauskas was selected for the 2003 NBA All-Star Game, as a member of the Eastern Conference All-Star team; it was his first ever All-Star appearance.[12][13][14] Meanwhile, Wagner and Boozer were both selected for the NBA Rookie Challenge Game, as members of the Rookies team.[15][16] Davis finished in fourth place in Most Improved Player voting, while Ilgauskas finished tied in 21st place,[17] and Boozer finished in seventh place in Rookie of the Year voting.[17]

The Cavaliers finished last in the NBA in home-game attendance, with an attendance of 471,374 at the Gund Arena during the regular season, which was 29th in the league.[11][18] Following the season, Jones was traded to the Boston Celtics, while Palacio signed as a free agent with the Toronto Raptors, and Smart was fired as head coach.

Offseason

Free agents

Trades

Draft picks

Main article: 2002 NBA draft
Round Pick Player Position Nationality College / Club Team
1 6 Dajuan Wagner Guard  United States Memphis
2 34 Carlos Boozer Forward  United States Duke

Roster

Cleveland Cavaliers roster
Players Coaches
Pos. No. Player Height Weight DOB From
F 1 Carlos Boozer 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 258 lb (117 kg) Duke
G 3 Tierre Brown 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 190 lb (86 kg) McNeese State
G/F 31 Ricky Davis 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 195 lb (88 kg) Iowa
C 52 DeSagana Diop 7 ft 0 in (2.13 m) 280 lb (127 kg) Oak Hill Academy (VA)
C 11 Žydrūnas Ilgauskas 7 ft 3 in (2.21 m) 238 lb (108 kg) Lithuania
F 33 Jumaine Jones 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) 230 lb (104 kg) Georgia
C 4 Chris Mihm 7 ft 0 in (2.13 m) 265 lb (120 kg) Texas
F 21 Darius Miles 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 235 lb (107 kg) East St. Louis HS (IL)
PG 10 Milt Palacio 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 210 lb (95 kg) Colorado State
G 17 Smush Parker 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 190 lb (86 kg) Fordham
F/C 13 Michael Stewart 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m) 230 lb (104 kg) California
G 2 Dajuan Wagner 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 200 lb (91 kg) Memphis
Head coach
Assistant(s)
Legend
  • (DP) Unsigned draft pick
  • (FA) Free agent
  • (S) Suspended
  • Injured

Roster

Note

Bold = All-Star selection

Regular season

Season standings

Central Division
 W L PCT GB Home Road Div
y-Detroit Pistons 50 32 .610 – 30–11 20–21 19–9
x-Indiana Pacers 48 34 .585 2 32–9 16–25 19–9
x-New Orleans Hornets 47 35 .573 3 29–12 18–23 17–11
x-Milwaukee Bucks 42 40 .512 8 25–16 17–24 16–12
e-Atlanta Hawks 35 47 .427 15 26–15 9–32 14–14
e-Chicago Bulls 30 52 .366 20 27–14 3–38 12–16
e-Toronto Raptors 24 58 .293 26 15–26 9–32 10–18
e-Cleveland Cavaliers 17 65 .207 33 14–27 3–38 5–23
#
Eastern Conference
Team W L PCT GB
1 c-Detroit Pistons 50 32 .610 –
2 y-New Jersey Nets 49 33 .598 1
3 x-Indiana Pacers 48 34 .585 2
4 x-Philadelphia 76ers 48 34 .585 2
5 x-New Orleans Hornets 47 35 .573 3
6 x-Boston Celtics 44 38 .537 6
7 x-Milwaukee Bucks 42 40 .512 8
8 x-Orlando Magic 42 40 .512 8
9 e-New York Knicks 37 45 .451 13
10 e-Washington Wizards 37 45 .451 13
11 e-Atlanta Hawks 35 47 .427 15
12 e-Chicago Bulls 30 52 .366 20
13 e-Miami Heat 25 57 .305 25
14 e-Toronto Raptors 24 58 .293 26
15 e-Cleveland Cavaliers 17 65 .207 33

Game log

October

Record: 1–1; Home: 0–0; Road: 1–1

# Date Visitor Score Home OT Leading scorer Attendance Record
1 29 October 2002 Cavaliers 67–94 Kings NA Ricky Davis (17) 0–1
2 30 October 2002 Cavaliers 98–96 Clippers NA Ricky Davis (25) 1–1

November

Record: 1–15; Home: 1–6; Road: 0–9

# Date Visitor Score Home OT Leading scorer Attendance Record
3 1 November 2002 Cavaliers 74–78 Suns NA Ricky Davis (21) 1–2
4 5 November 2002 Lakers 70–89 Cavaliers NA Ricky Davis (24) 2–2
5 6 November 2002 Cavaliers 100–107 Wizards NA Ricky Davis (27) 2–3
6 8 November 2002 Cavaliers 84–108 Sixers NA Ricky Davis (31) 2–4
7 9 November 2002 Wizards 93–79 Cavaliers NA Two-way tie (19) 2–5
8 12 November 2002 Cavaliers 75–95 Pacers NA Darius Miles (19) 2–6
9 13 November 2002 Mavericks 103–99 Cavaliers NA Zydrunas Ilgauskas (34) 2–7
10 16 November 2002 Spurs 90–77 Cavaliers NA Ricky Davis (22) 2–8
11 18 November 2002 Cavaliers 78–104 Spurs NA Zydrunas Ilgauskas (25) 2–9
12 19 November 2002 Cavaliers 80–97 Rockets NA Zydrunas Ilgauskas (24) 2–10
13 22 November 2002 Cavaliers 79–120 Nets NA Smush Parker (18) 2–11
14 23 November 2002 Hornets 97–84 Cavaliers NA Ricky Davis (24) 2–12
15 26 November 2002 Kings 91–85 Cavaliers NA Ricky Davis (22) 2–13
16 27 November 2002 Cavaliers 80–112 Bucks NA Ricky Davis (23) 2–14
17 29 November 2002 Sixers 106–99 Cavaliers NA Dajuan Wagner (29) 2–15
18 30 November 2002 Cavaliers 79–85 Heat NA Dajuan Wagner (28) 2–16

December

Record: 4–11; Home: 4–6; Road: 0–5

# Date Visitor Score Home OT Leading scorer Attendance Record
19 2 December 2002 Cavaliers 93–125 Knicks NA Dajuan Wagner (25) 2–17
20 4 December 2002 Bulls 101–111 Cavaliers NA Dajuan Wagner (29) 3–17
21 7 December 2002 Cavaliers 104–112 Bulls NA Zydrunas Ilgauskas (28) 3–18
22 9 December 2002 Bucks 140–133 Cavaliers 2 Ricky Davis (45) 3–19
23 11 December 2002 Raptors 83–96 Cavaliers NA Dajuan Wagner (33) 4–19
24 13 December 2002 Cavaliers 100–115 Celtics NA Ricky Davis (42) 4–20
25 14 December 2002 Nuggets 104–111 Cavaliers NA Two-way tie (29) 5–20
26 16 December 2002 SuperSonics 111–98 Cavaliers NA Ricky Davis (20) 5–21
27 18 December 2002 Pistons 111–106 Cavaliers 1 Zydrunas Ilgauskas (29) 5–22
28 20 December 2002 Cavaliers 107–109 Pistons 1 Ricky Davis (42) 5–23
29 21 December 2002 Celtics 89–82 Cavaliers NA Dajuan Wagner (25) 5–24
30 23 December 2002 Heat 72–74 Cavaliers NA Ricky Davis (33) 6–24
31 27 December 2002 Pacers 113–89 Cavaliers NA Zydrunas Ilgauskas (21) 6–25
32 29 December 2002 Suns 103–84 Cavaliers NA Ricky Davis (15) 6–26
33 30 December 2002 Cavaliers 88–102 Nets NA Ricky Davis (24) 6–27

January

Record: 3–11; Home: 1–3; Road: 2–8

# Date Visitor Score Home OT Leading scorer Attendance Record
34 3 January 2003 Cavaliers 81–80 Raptors NA Ricky Davis (29) 7–27
35 4 January 2003 Cavaliers 79–85 Bulls NA Zydrunas Ilgauskas (27) 7–28
36 6 January 2003 Bucks 106–94 Cavaliers NA Ricky Davis (22) 7–29
37 10 January 2003 Cavaliers 99–115 Lakers NA Ricky Davis (27) 7–30
38 12 January 2003 Cavaliers 87–79 SuperSonics NA Ricky Davis (22) 8–30
39 13 January 2003 Cavaliers 94–118 Trail Blazers NA Ricky Davis (17) 8–31
40 15 January 2003 Cavaliers 80–108 Warriors NA Ricky Davis (21) 8–32
41 17 January 2003 Cavaliers 80–97 Nuggets NA Zydrunas Ilgauskas (26) 8–33
42 18 January 2003 Cavaliers 78–95 Jazz NA Ricky Davis (25) 8–34
43 21 January 2003 Magic 103–94 Cavaliers NA Zydrunas Ilgauskas (35) 8–35
44 25 January 2003 Hawks 102–101 Cavaliers 1 Zydrunas Ilgauskas (19) 8–36
45 27 January 2003 Clippers 100–104 Cavaliers NA Ricky Davis (32) 9–36
46 29 January 2003 Cavaliers 108–113 Magic NA Zydrunas Ilgauskas (22) 9–37
47 31 January 2003 Cavaliers 91–96 Hawks NA Zydrunas Ilgauskas (21) 9–38

February

Record: 2–9; Home: 2–5; Road: 0–4

# Date Visitor Score Home OT Leading scorer Attendance Record
48 2 February 2003 Trail Blazers 114–95 Cavaliers NA Zydrunas Ilgauskas (20) 9–39
49 4 February 2003 Cavaliers 84–93 Wizards NA Dajuan Wagner (19) 9–40
50 5 February 2003 Rockets 102–105 Cavaliers NA Ricky Davis (21) 10–40
51 11 February 2003 Cavaliers 96–107 Pacers NA Jumaine Jones (25) 10–41
52 12 February 2003 Timberwolves 102–91 Cavaliers NA Ricky Davis (26) 10–42
53 16 February 2003 Pistons 90–75 Cavaliers NA Ricky Davis (19) 10–43
54 18 February 2003 Bulls 107–101 Cavaliers NA Carlos Boozer (23) 10–44
55 21 February 2003 Sixers 119–99 Cavaliers NA Zydrunas Ilgauskas (19) 10–45
56 23 February 2003 Cavaliers 103–116 Sixers NA Dajuan Wagner (23) 10–46
57 25 February 2003 Nets 90–93 Cavaliers NA Zydrunas Ilgauskas (29) 11–46
58 28 February 2003 Cavaliers 95–118 Timberwolves NA Two-way tie (16) 11–47

March

Record: 3–12; Home: 3–5; Road: 0–7

# Date Visitor Score Home OT Leading scorer Attendance Record
59 2 March 2003 Magic 102–76 Cavaliers NA Two-way tie (14) 11–48
60 4 March 2003 Cavaliers 80–89 Knicks NA Ricky Davis (24) 11–49
61 5 March 2003 Hawks 111–105 Cavaliers NA Zydrunas Ilgauskas (27) 11–50
62 7 March 2003 Cavaliers 76–102 Hornets NA Carlos Boozer (16) 11–51
63 8 March 2003 Grizzlies 115–89 Cavaliers NA Ricky Davis (18) 11–52
64 11 March 2003 Heat 77–75 Cavaliers NA Ricky Davis (19) 11–53
65 16 March 2003 Jazz 95–122 Cavaliers NA Ricky Davis (28) 12–53
66 18 March 2003 Cavaliers 93–114 Mavericks NA Zydrunas Ilgauskas (30) 12–54
67 19 March 2003 Cavaliers 101–128 Grizzlies NA Carlos Boozer (27) 12–55
68 21 March 2003 Cavaliers 85–109 Magic NA Milt Palacio (15) 12–56
69 23 March 2003 Nets 88–93 Cavaliers NA Zydrunas Ilgauskas (29) 13–56
70 25 March 2003 Warriors 103–124 Cavaliers NA Ricky Davis (28) 14–56
71 26 March 2003 Cavaliers 83–89 Raptors NA Zydrunas Ilgauskas (25) 14–57
72 28 March 2003 Cavaliers 95–104 Celtics NA Ricky Davis (31) 14–58
73 29 March 2003 Celtics 110–106 Cavaliers NA Ricky Davis (38) 14–59

April

Record: 3–6; Home: 3–2; Road: 0–4

# Date Visitor Score Home OT Leading scorer Attendance Record
74 2 April 2003 Pacers 103–82 Cavaliers NA Ricky Davis (27) 14–60
75 4 April 2003 Cavaliers 93–95 Bucks NA Ricky Davis (26) 14–61
76 5 April 2003 Hornets 76–79 Cavaliers NA Ricky Davis (17) 15–61
77 8 April 2003 Wizards 100–91 Cavaliers NA Zydrunas Ilgauskas (23) 15–62
78 9 April 2003 Cavaliers 81–100 Hornets NA Jumaine Jones (21) 15–63
79 11 April 2003 Cavaliers 89–109 Hawks NA Tierre Brown (15) 15–64
80 12 April 2003 Knicks 99–104 Cavaliers 1 Ricky Davis (37) 16–64
81 14 April 2003 Cavaliers 88–89 Pistons NA Ricky Davis (25) 16–65
82 16 April 2003 Raptors 86–96 Cavaliers NA Smush Parker (17) 17–65
  • Green background indicates win.
  • Red background indicates loss.

Player stats

Legend
  GP Games played   GS  Games started  MPG  Minutes per game
 FG%  Field-goal percentage  3P%  3-point field-goal percentage  FT%  Free-throw percentage
 RPG  Rebounds per game  APG  Assists per game  SPG  Steals per game
 BPG  Blocks per game  PPG  Points per game

Regular season

Player GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
Carlos Boozer 81 54 25.3 .536 .000 .771 7.5 1.3 .73 .62 10.0
Tierre Brown 15 0 11.2 .458 .000 .786 2.0 2.6 .87 .00 4.3
Ricky Davis 79 76 39.6 .410 .363 .748 4.9 5.5 1.58 .46 20.6
DeSagana Diop 80 1 11.8 .351 .000 .367 2.7 .5 .41 1.01 1.5
Žydrūnas Ilgauskas 81 81 30.0 .441 .000 .781 7.5 1.6 .69 1.88 17.2
Jumaine Jones 80 12 27.6 .434 .354 .687 5.1 1.4 .84 .28 9.8
Chris Mihm 52 0 15.6 .404 .000 .724 4.4 .5 .35 .73 5.9
Darius Miles 67 62 30.0 .410 .000 .594 5.4 2.6 1.00 1.03 9.2
Milt Palacio 80 46 24.7 .418 .216 .747 2.9 3.2 .85 .20 5.0
Smush Parker 66 18 16.7 .402 .322 .831 1.8 2.5 .73 .18 6.2
Michael Stewart 47 0 5.3 .378 .000 .667 1.2 .1 .04 .32 .8
Dajuan Wagner 47 24 29.5 .369 .316 .800 1.7 2.8 .81 .15 13.4

Player statistics citation:[11]

Awards and records

Awards

Records

Milestones

All-Star

Transactions

Trades

Free agents

Development League

References

  1. ^ "2002-03 Cleveland Cavaliers Roster and Stats". Basketball-Reference.com.
  2. ^ "Rockets Make Yao Ming First Overall Pick". ESPN. June 26, 2002. Retrieved January 14, 2022.
  3. ^ Passan, Jeff (June 27, 2002). "Rockets Select Yao No. 1 Overall in Draft". The Washington Post. Retrieved July 15, 2022.
  4. ^ "2002 NBA Draft". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved December 1, 2022.
  5. ^ Teaford, Elliott (July 30, 2002). "Clippers Going Miles for Miller". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved February 9, 2026.
  6. ^ Broussard, Chris (July 31, 2002). "BASKETBALL; Cavs Trade Miller in a Deal for Miles". The New York Times. Retrieved February 9, 2026.
  7. ^ "Miller, Stith Head West for Miles, Jamison". ESPN. ESPN.com News Services. August 1, 2002. Retrieved February 9, 2026.
  8. ^ Smith, Sam (October 30, 2002). "Eastern Conference Capsules". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved July 16, 2022.
  9. ^ "NBA Games Played on February 6, 2003". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved February 9, 2026.
  10. ^ "2002–03 Cleveland Cavaliers Schedule and Results". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved June 22, 2022.
  11. ^ a b c "2002–03 Cleveland Cavaliers Roster and Stats". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved June 22, 2022.
  12. ^ Sheridan, Chris (February 9, 2003). "Something Old, Something New on Court at All-Star Game". Ocala Star-Banner. Retrieved February 8, 2026.
  13. ^ "2003 NBA All-Star Recap". NBA.com. NBA.com Staff. September 13, 2021. Retrieved February 8, 2026.
  14. ^ "2003 NBA All-Star Game: West 155, East 145 (2OT)". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved February 8, 2026.
  15. ^ "Basketball". The Madison Courier. February 8, 2003. p. A8. Retrieved January 28, 2026.
  16. ^ "2003 NBA Rising Stars: Sophomores 132, Rookies 112". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved January 28, 2026.
  17. ^ a b "2002–03 NBA Awards Voting". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved February 9, 2026.
  18. ^ "2002–03 NBA Season Summary". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved February 9, 2026.
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