The Cavs didn’t just bounce back Wednesday night. They answered.
After turning in their worst showing of the season Monday against the Hornets, Cleveland walked into Madison Square Garden and put together its most complete effort yet, beating the Knicks 115-107 in the defending champions’ building. It was the kind of response that had been missing, and it came against a far tougher opponent.
James Harden set the tone with a season-high 32 points, a sharp line on 9-of-14 shooting and 5-of-7 from deep. For a player who’s taken plenty of heat lately, it was the kind of night that quiets the noise for at least a little while.
Donovan Mitchell gave the Cavs a strong second punch with 23 points, seven rebounds and six assists, and Cleveland moved to 6-6 while snapping a two-game skid.
The Knicks kept pushing and even drew even at 99 in the fourth quarter, but the Cavs never let the game slip away. Every time New York threatened, Cleveland had a reply - a timely bucket, a hustle play, a stop on the other end.
Jarrett Allen was a big part of that, even if his impact didn’t always jump off the box score. He handled the little things that helped the Cavs finish possessions the right way. Peyton Watson made one of the night’s biggest defensive plays, blocking a transition attempt in the final minute to keep Cleveland in control with a two-possession lead.
Tyrese Proctor chipped in 15 points off the bench, while Meleek Thomas added 14.
For New York, Jalen Brunson finished with 27 points and Karl-Anthony Towns posted 21 points and 11 rebounds.
One win doesn’t wipe away an uneven start. But it did show what this group can look like when the talent and the effort are both there at the same time.
In Other News...
Cavs Got The Offensive Spark Fans Have Been Waiting For
The Cavaliers finally found the kind of offensive rhythm that has been missing in stretches this season, and it came in a win over the Knicks. James Harden set the tone with 32 points and four assists, while Donovan Mitchell added 23 points and seven rebounds to keep the pressure on New York. Jarrett Allen chipped in 11 points and 14 rebounds, giving Cleveland a steady inside presence, and the overall performance had the feel of a night when the ball moved with purpose and the scoring load was spread more naturally.
Tyrese Proctor also gave the Cavs a useful lift with 15 points, another encouraging sign for a team still sorting out its rotation and looking for reliable secondary scoring. For Cleveland, the bigger question now is whether this was just a strong one-off against the Knicks or the start of a more consistent offensive spark that can carry into the next stretch of games. [Read more 🡒]
Cavs Pressure Is Rising Fast But Kenny Atkinson May Not Be The Problem
A 5-6 start has a way of turning up the heat quickly, and the Cavaliers are already feeling it. Kenny Atkinson is the face of the sideline scrutiny, but the early-season frustration has been shaped as much by the roster around him as by anything happening in the coaching box, with the team not getting the kind of lift it expected from key pieces.
James Harden has been part of that conversation, and so has Peyton Watson, whose play has slipped from what he gave last season. When the production from important additions and veterans falls off at the same time, the pressure inevitably rolls uphill, and Atkinsons margin for error may not stay wide for long if Cleveland cannot find some traction soon. [Read more 🡒]
Donovan Mitchell May Be The Key To Fixing Cleveland's Offense
The Cavaliers are still searching for a cleaner offensive rhythm after a 5-6 start, and the conversation has turned toward a familiar fix: putting Donovan Mitchell in a more central role as a playmaker. Coach Kenny Atkinson and the team have been exploring different combinations and responsibilities, looking for a way to create better scoring chances and get the offense moving with more purpose.
Mitchell has long shown he can carry more of the initiation load, and Cleveland may be leaning into that strength as it tries to settle on a more efficient formula. The broader question is how the Cavs balance roles around him, with the staff continuing to test different looks in hopes of finding an arrangement that unlocks the groups best version. [Read more 🡒]