Kenny Atkinson acknowledges the Cleveland Cavaliers' matchup against the Toronto Raptors wasn't easy, but knows they'll be better off for it.
From close. down to the wire, games, fourth-quarter collapses, players stepping up, and everything in between, the Cleveland Cavaliers’ first-round matchup against the Toronto Raptors had it all.
The Cavaliers didn’t make it easy on themselves, but the Wine and Gold eventually advanced to the second round of the NBA Playoffs after their Game 7 win on Sunday evening.
As frustrating as it was at times for the Cavaliers, Kenny Atkinson believes his team will be better off in the long run because of their series against the Raptors.
“I think this series galvanized us,” explained Atkinson.
“When you have [Toronto’s] physicality, their speed, their athleticism, things weren't perfect, and we kind of know the difference. Last year, we kind of had a easier series [in the first round]. These type of series, they build you up, and I'm glad we went through it. It wasn't fun, but I think it will be a better team coming out of it.”
Atkinson makes a great point in this analysis and reflection of Cleveland's last few playoff matchups.
May 3, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers head coach Kenny Atkinson reacts against the Toronto Raptors during the first half of game seven in the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Rocket Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn ImagesA year ago, the Cavaliers cruised through the Miami Heat in the first round, after facing very little adversity during the regular season, too.
The lack of being tested by their opponent was evident when Cleveland faced a tougher team, both physically and stylistically, in the Indiana Pacers in the second round in 2025.
Cleveland simply appeared outmatched, ultimately leading to another early postseason exit.
This year has been a different story, though. As Atkinson pointed out after the Cavaliers’ Game 7 win over the Raptors, Cleveland has gone through hardships over the last few months, not just during their first-round series. Toronto played the Cavaliers tough, and
It's important to remember that this iteration of the Cavaliers hasn't been tested as a group yet. In the grand scheme of things, James Harden hasn't been in Cleveland that long.
If the Cavaliers can truly take the experiences they learned in their series against the Raptors and grow from them, they’ll be much better suited for their second matchup against the No. 1-seeded Detroit Pistons.
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