After a 64-win season in 2024-25 that began with a 15-0 record to kick off the Kenny Atkinson era, the Cleveland Cavaliers haven’t had nearly as much fun this year. The Cavs were a squeamish 17-16 before two important wins over the San Antonio Spurs and Phoenix Suns rekindled a whisper of optimism heading into the New Year.
The scary thing about Cleveland’s struggles is that there’s no clear diagnosis.
Some people have pointed the finger at Atkinson, but he has plenty of career success to push back against that narrative. Darius Garland missed some time (and still doesn’t look 100 percent), but it’s not like he’s been invisible.