Cleveland Cavaliers head coach Kenny Atkinson has watched last season’s second-round series against the Indiana Pacers “so many different times” in an effort to dissect what went wrong, Cleveland.com reporter Chris Fedor said.
The Cavaliers, top seed in the Eastern Conference in 2024-25, fell to Indiana in five games, dropping Games 1, 2, 4 and 5. Atkinson’s repeated viewings are part of an offseason that has taken him from the NBA Summer League in Las Vegas to player check-ins across the country.
According to Fedor, Atkinson spent time in Los Angeles with Evan Mobley and De’Andre Hunter, reviewed a full medical recovery program with Darius Garland, and made separate trips to see Sam Merrill and Donovan Mitchell.
Offseason Roster Moves
Cleveland traded Isaac Okoro to the Chicago Bulls for guard Lonzo Ball, re-signed Merrill, and added forward Larry Nance Jr. Guard Ty Jerome departed for the Memphis Grizzlies.
Eastern Landscape
The Pacers have already ruled out star guard Tyrese Haliburton for the entire 2025-26 campaign, while the Boston Celtics could be without forward Jayson Tatum. With those absences, league observers view the conference as Cleveland’s to lose next season.
Imagem: Getty via hoopswire.com
Nevertheless, Atkinson’s focus remains on learning from the Pacers defeat. The Cavaliers have not advanced beyond the conference semifinals since 2018, the final year of LeBron James’ second stint with the franchise.
Source: Hoops Wire
