Ohio NICU Babies Show Off Their Cleveland Cavaliers Spirit During the NBA Playoffs in Adorable Photos

Kayla GrantThu, April 30, 2026 at 4:10 PM UTC

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Cleveland Clinic NICU patientsCredit: Cleveland Clinic -

Cleveland Clinic Children's NICU dressed its babies in Cavaliers gear to celebrate the NBA playoffs and boost spirits

Families found joy and connection in seeing their babies support Cleveland's team during their hospital stay

One family celebrated their baby's NICU discharge with Cavaliers-themed outfits, reflecting the city's community pride

One Ohio hospital's neonatal intensive care unit is getting its tiniest patients ready for the NBA playoffs.

The Cleveland Clinic Children's NICU's tiniest patients, who are among the "fiercest fighters" in the hospital, showed their support for their home basketball team, the Cleveland Cavaliers. Ahead of game 5 in the first-round series, which will see the Cavaliers play the Toronto Raptors, several of the babies in the NICU sported knit hats and headbands representing the team.

Cleveland Clinic NICU patientCredit: Cleveland Clinic

Among the tiniest patients, twins Sullivan and Callahan proudly wore knitted headbands with the Cavaliers logo on them. Another set of twins showed their team pride with sister Margot dressing as the team's mascot, Moondog, while her brother Benjamin wore a beard and headband.

“We’re proud to bring a little Cleveland spirit into the NICU,” said Julie Gamary, Cleveland Clinic Children’s NICU nurse manager, in a statement. “Seeing our babies dressed in Cavs‑inspired hats and headbands gives families a joyful moment and a shared connection to something the community is cheering for.”

For many of the families, the small act carried a deeper and more special meaning. Jen and Jesse Shafts' son, Giovanni, spent 17 days in the NICU before he was finally able to go home with his family.

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To celebrate discharge, Jesse came to the hospital wearing a sweatshirt from the Cavaliers.

Cleveland Clinic NICU patientCredit: Cleveland Clinic

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Above all, Jesse and Jen were grateful to begin their next chapter as a family and show their little one a taste of Cleveland's true spirit beyond the walls.

"We’re so thankful for everyone who took care of our baby in the NICU,” Jen told the hospital. “We’re Cavs fans, so seeing our baby dressed in team gear was one of those little moments that made us smile.”

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