One rough night from Ty Jerome was enough to give Cavaliers fans a small reprieve from the second-guessing.
Jerome has been one of the loudest early-season stories anywhere in the league. He’s scored at a high level, made tough shots, and delivered in big moments.
That was the version Cleveland watched from afar after letting him leave last summer. But on Thursday against the Portland Trail Blazers, he looked far more human, even in a Memphis Grizzlies win.
That matters in Cleveland because the what-ifs have been piling up. The Cavaliers allowed Jerome to walk, and he ended up signing with the Memphis Grizzlies in free agency.
He spent last season dealing with injuries, though when he was available, he looked strong. This year has been a different story entirely.
In the summer of 2025, Jerome agreed to a three-year, $28 million deal with Memphis after what was described as an impressive season in Cleveland, even if his playoff showing was rough.
Then came the hot start. Jerome opened this stretch by putting up more than 30 points per game in his first few outings, which only sharpened the regret from the outside.
But Thursday’s line was a clear step back: 10 points, two rebounds, three assists, and two steals. He shot 3-of-12 from the field, 1-of-5 from beyond the arc, and 3-of-3 at the line.
The Grizzlies still handled business, so it wasn’t a major issue for Memphis. For Cavaliers fans, though, it offered a rare pause from the painful thought process. The questions were obvious: what if Cleveland had kept him, what if he had been given more on-ball responsibility, and what if he had been working next to Donovan Mitchell in the backcourt?
For at least one night, those questions didn’t need answers. Jerome’s off night gave Cavaliers fans a short break from the uncomfortable reality that has hovered over the start of the season.
In Other News...
Cavaliers Keep Collapsing And Kenny Atkinson Has A Growing Problem
The Cavaliers uneven start has already given Kenny Atkinson plenty to sort through, and the latest setback only sharpened the concern. After the loss to Atlanta, Atkinson acknowledged that Cleveland has not been able to put together consistent stretches on either end, with the team repeatedly letting leads slip away early in the season.
What stands out most is how familiar the issues have become. Atkinson pointed to the same basic breakdowns that have haunted the Cavaliers in multiple games, especially around the defensive glass and the kind of lapses that turn a comfortable position into a scramble. With tougher matchups ahead, Cleveland is running out of time to turn those warning signs into clean, complete wins. [Read more 🡒]
Cavs Collapse Should Put Kenny Atkinson Under Fresh Scrutiny
The Cavaliers had built a 15-point cushion after the first quarter, only to watch Atlanta chip away and eventually take control in a game that exposed some familiar late-game frustrations. Cleveland still got scoring from James Harden, who led the way with 24 points, and Donovan Mitchell added 22, but the offensive production was not enough to cover for the way the game unraveled after the opening period.
What stood out most was the second-half defensive drop-off, along with the coaching choices that came under the microscope as the Hawks kept pressing. The loss leaves Kenny Atkinson facing a fresh round of scrutiny, especially with the Cavaliers unable to protect a strong start or steady things when the game tightened late. [Read more 🡒]
Kenny Atkinson Already Faces A Jaylon Tyson Decision Cleveland Fans Feel
Jaylon Tysons early-season role has already become one of the more interesting lineup questions hanging over the Cavaliers. Through the first five games, the rookie has settled into a modest workload and has yet to lock down a starting spot, even as Cleveland has managed to keep winning with its current group. The broader issue is less about one players raw talent than how Kenny Atkinson wants to balance development, spacing and stability in a rotation that has mostly worked.
The conversation gets sharper because the second unit has had trouble protecting leads, which naturally raises the question of whether Tyson should be given a larger runway or a more prominent role. Cleveland has options, and the current setup is not broken, but Tysons minutes and usage are already drawing attention because the Cavaliers may eventually need more from him than they are getting now. [Read more 🡒]