Cleveland Cavaliers head coach Kenny Atkinson analyzed Sunday’s 109-98 defeat to the Boston Celtics, focusing on offensive inefficiency in the first half. “We were two of 22 from beyond the arc… we got a little overzealous. We weren’t getting offensive rebounds… our energy and force was below average in the first half,” Atkinson said.
Atkinson noted Donovan Mitchell’s return from a groin injury. “He kind of kept us in it there when we made our run… a little rust there, but he feels good. No issues with the grind,” he said, confirming Mitchell is ready to contribute fully moving forward.
The coach reflected on the team’s early-season tendencies resurfacing. “We get down in a hole because they win their spots early… when you’re in that big of a hole, it’s too late, especially against an excellent team like they are,” Atkinson said.
Atkinson praised Cleveland’s defense but noted lapses against Boston’s shooters. “Jaylen Brown hit some tough twos… we started running around double-teaming… we have to have more discipline in terms of what we’re willing to live with,” he said.
The Celtics’ approach to one-on-one play forced adjustments. “They invite you into a lot of one-on-one stuff… they forced us into their style,” Atkinson said.
Planning for Jayson Tatum’s return posed questions for the Cavaliers. “We know him so well… it’s hard to judge where he is or where he’ll be in a month. We just took him like he’s full strength,” Atkinson explained.
Atkinson highlighted Derrick White’s defensive impact. “Probably what people aren’t measuring is his defensive impact… he’s an elite rim protector and disrupts defensively… that equals, to me, for coaches and players in this league, a great player in that bucket,” he said.
On Cleveland’s standing among Eastern Conference contenders, Atkinson emphasized the team’s potential and need for improvement. “We’ve had guys out and in… tough to judge… we’re in that group, but we have to get better if we want to leapfrog that group,” he said.
Despite Mitchell’s 30 points and Evan Mobley’s 24, Cleveland fell short as Boston’s Jaylen Brown scored 23 and Tatum added 20 in his second game back from a torn Achilles.
