Kenny Atkinson gives his honest evaluation of the Cleveland Cavaliers' loss to the Houston Rockets.
Just when it looked like the Cleveland Cavaliers were turning the corner on what has been a frustrating season, the Wine and Gold head back to square one of trying to figure out how to get everyone on the same page.
The Cavaliers were demolished by the Houston Rockets on Saturday, with a final score of 117-100, but Houston's lead climbed out to 31 points at one point in the third quarter.
Sure, there were some mismatches for the Cavaliers, and the Rockets certainly had the upper hand in terms of playstyle, but Cleveland's loss came down to the team's lack of physicality and readiness.
Kenny Atkinson didn't hold back about his team's performance after the game.
“I rarely say this, but I thought the game was over in the first quarter. Their physicality, we weren't ready for the fight. I don't know how else to say it. I have no idea," Atkinson said following the loss.
"It's hard for me to [describe]. It wasn't the same team that played the other night against the Knicks. You had eight [first-quarter] turnovers, then obviously, they just kind of manhandled us physically. I didn't like our response... This is the NBA. These performances happen. They do. But I didn't like how it happened, I've just got to be honest.”
Dec 27, 2025; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Rockets forward Tari Eason (17) attempts to get control of the ball away from Cleveland Cavaliers guard Darius Garland (10) during the first quarter at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn ImagesThe Cavaliers were out-rebounded by the Rockets 51-42, and allowed Houston to score 26 points off 15 Cleveland miscues.
Overall, this just isn't the effort a team with championship aspirations.
The players that Atkinson did see some fight from weren't the ones that shouldn't be expected to bring the energy in a marquee game against a true NBA Finals contender: the role players, such as Jaylon Tyson, Tyrese Proctor, and Thomas Bryant.
"That's where I saw the fight," explained Cleveland's head coach. "I saw the fight from our role players."
In the fourth quarter, when Cleveland had emptied its bench, the Cavaliers outscored the Rockets 37-27. Obviously, it was too late for a comeback at this point.
How will the Cavaliers right the ship? That's the question everyone wants answered, and the Wine and Gold are still searching for their solution.