Cleveland Cavaliers head coach Kenny Atkinson praised the return of his injured starters and Donovan Mitchell’s poise in Friday’s 126-104 Game 3 victory over the Indiana Pacers.
Speaking postgame, Atkinson emphasized the last-minute confirmation of Darius Garland, Evan Mobley, and De’Andre Hunter as a decisive turning point in regaining team identity and stabilizing Cleveland’s backcourt under pressure.
Mitchell’s 43-point performance, including a string of critical plays in the fourth quarter, drew rare acclaim from Atkinson, who called it “probably the best” of the season due to its timing, control, and decision-making.
Atkinson highlighted the impact of additional ball-handling support, crediting Garland’s return — despite playing through injury — for relieving Mitchell of the burden of initiating every possession.
Mobley, who played on a sprained ankle, posted 18 points and 13 rebounds and was central to Cleveland’s interior defense, which limited Tyrese Haliburton to just four points and kept Indiana from establishing rhythm.
The Cavaliers’ 25-4 second-quarter run was sparked by a zone defense adjustment, which Atkinson explained was tailored to disrupt Indiana’s five-out offensive spacing and preserve foul-troubled starters.
Max Strus added 20 points, seven rebounds, and seven assists, but Atkinson pointed to his rising leadership as equally important, calling him the team’s current “enforcer” in huddles and film sessions.
Cleveland dominated the possession battle, holding a 56-37 rebounding edge and a 28-13 advantage in second-chance points, which Atkinson attributed to a post-All-Star break emphasis on offensive glasswork.
Despite a late Indiana push that trimmed the lead to 11, Mitchell responded with a fadeaway jumper, a three-pointer, and an assist to Strus — a sequence that Atkinson said showcased Mitchell’s understanding of momentum and game flow.
Jarrett Allen contributed 19 points and 12 rebounds, helping neutralize Indiana’s frontcourt, while the Cavaliers held the Pacers to just nine made three-pointers and forced 13 turnovers.
Atkinson also confirmed continued trust in Garland, even in limited minutes, calling his presence essential for ball security and playmaking despite lingering pain.
With the series now 2-1 in favor of Indiana, Game 4 will take place Sunday in Indianapolis, where the Cavaliers aim to level the series before returning to Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse.
