The Cleveland Cavaliers have not looked great out of the gate this season.
Last year, the Cleveland Cavaliers got off to a 15-0 start before finally losing to the Boston Celtics. This season? Well, things have been quite a bit different.
The Cavaliers are just 4-3 in the early stages of the 2025-26 campaign, and while they are still waiting on Darius Garland to return from toe surgery, there is no doubt that there have been some rather eyebrow-raising concerns.
Head coach Kenny Atkinson revealed what he felt has been one of the biggest problems for Cleveland thus far, noting that the Cavs have not been getting easy shots.
“I want to see the ball more at the rim,” Atkinson said, via Jason Lloyd of The Athletic. “I want to see us get to the free-throw line. We just have to keep finding ways to pierce that paint more. We’re struggling a little right now. We’re probably a little too perimeter oriented.”
The Cavaliers rank 29th in the NBA in field-goal attempts five or less feet from the basket, and while Garland's absence — as well as Donovan Mitchell's balky hamstring — surely has something to do with that, it isn't the only reason.
Cleveland Cavaliers coach Kenny Atkinson. Credit: David Richard-Imagn Images.It's important to note that Cleveland is trying to incorporate Lonzo Ball into its offense, and second-year guard Jaylon Tyson is also getting significantly more playing time with Garland and Max Strus both sidelined. Sam Merrill — who is off to a scintillating start — has missed a few games, as well. And let's not forget that the Cavs lost Ty Jerome to free agency.
It will likely be a bit of an adjustment period for the Cavaliers, and given that they are playing in a very weak Eastern Conference, losing a few games early on in the year is no big deal.
“When we’re healthy, we know the team we have,” Atkinson added.
Atkinson himself is still trying to figure out the best combinations and permutations given all of the changes Cleveland has undergone since the end of last season, so it definitely isn't time to hit the panic button just yet.
But at some point, the Cavs will have to start getting more aggressive to produce cleaner looks, and that should come once Garland returns and Mitchell is officially 100 percent (although he certainly looked great in his 36-point performance against the Atlanta Hawks on Sunday).
The Cavaliers will face the Philadelphia 76ers on Wednesday.