Cleveland Cavaliers head coach Kenny Atkinson described the mood in the locker room as “depressing” following Saturday’s 117-100 loss to the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center. “I rarely say this, but I thought the game was over in the first quarter…eight turnovers, their physicality, we weren’t ready for the fight tonight,” Atkinson said.
Atkinson pointed to the Cavaliers’ lack of focus and energy compared to their recent performance against the Knicks. “We were ready for the fight against the Knicks, but tonight we came out…call it a Christmas hangover, I have no idea,” he explained, acknowledging the team’s inability to match Houston’s physicality.
Despite the setback, Atkinson highlighted the effort of Cleveland’s younger players. “I did love our young guys’ response, Jaylon Tyson, Tyrese Proctor, Thomas Bryant…that’s where I saw the fight tonight. Jaylon was the beacon tonight. He was ready for the fight, ready for the physicality, ready for the game,” he said.
The coach admitted that bench players might have deserved more playing time earlier. “We gave it one shot at the beginning of the fourth with Craig Porter, Jaylon Tyson…if I look back, I should have pulled the regulars earlier. That’s very fair to criticize,” Atkinson said.
Darius Garland’s performance drew specific attention as he continues returning from injury. “He’s coming off a tough injury…ups and downs happen. Tonight was tough with their physicality, they were getting him off his line, and he didn’t have his normal burst,” Atkinson said, emphasizing the challenges of returning from turf toe without a full training camp.
Atkinson also stressed the Cavaliers’ offensive shortcomings as the key factor in their loss. “When you turn the ball over eight times in the first quarter, you give your defense no chance…they manhandled us physically, whether it was with a cut, a screen, we just didn’t have the necessary force,” he said.
The Cavaliers briefly cut Houston’s lead to 12 in the third quarter, but the Rockets responded with a 15-0 run led by Kevin Durant, who finished with 30 points, seven assists, and four rebounds, resting in the fourth quarter with the lead secured. Jabari Smith Jr. added 15 points, matching a career high, while Reed Sheppard contributed 18 points and eight assists off the bench.
Cleveland’s young core shined in spots, with Jaylon Tyson posting 23 points and a career-high 14 rebounds, and Donovan Mitchell adding 16 points on 7-for-17 shooting. However, the Cavaliers were outrebounded 51-42 and shot just 31% from three-point range.
Atkinson concluded by reiterating the importance of effort and physicality. “We weren’t ready for the fight tonight…our young guys showed it, but the team as a whole didn’t give what was necessary to compete,” he said, signaling the need for a stronger response in upcoming games.
