Cleveland Cavaliers head coach Kenny Atkinson offered insight into his team’s preparation for Game 3 of their Eastern Conference semifinal matchup against the Indiana Pacers.
After losing the first two games on home court, Atkinson addressed the injury challenges his team is grappling with and the adjustments needed for the upcoming game.
Atkinson confirmed that the injury statuses of key players, including Darius Garland and De’Andre Hunter, remain uncertain heading into Game 3. “Yes, I expect them to be questionable again,” said Atkinson regarding Garland and Hunter.
Hunter, in particular, has been struggling with a knee issue that has kept him off the court, and Atkinson expressed concern for his health while offering support. “He’s got to figure it out,” Atkinson added. “He’s been conditioned but has had limited impact work, and it’s tough for him to simulate that playoff intensity.”
Donovan Mitchell has been pivotal in the series, scoring 48 points in Game 2, but Atkinson was optimistic about his health. “Not that I know, but I think he’s okay,” Atkinson said about Mitchell’s injury status.
Injury woes aside, Atkinson also discussed the team’s stamina following their grueling loss in Game 2, which saw the Pacers pull off a dramatic comeback. The Cavaliers, up 119-112 with just over a minute remaining, failed to secure the win, as Indiana closed on an 8-0 run. “We’re in condition, we’re ready,” Atkinson reassured. “It was the intensity of the game that affected us, not our conditioning. Indiana plays at a very high tempo, and we needed to adjust.”
When asked about the last two minutes of Game 2, Atkinson took a reflective stance. “We lost that 20-point lead way before the final moments,” he said, adding that both coaching and player decisions, as well as referee calls, played a role in the collapse. “We all made mistakes. That’s just part of it.”
