The 2024-2025 Cleveland Cavaliers season was a remarkable one, marked by historic achievements, but unfortunately ended up with an early playoff exit.
The Good
Historic Regular Season Success:
The Cavaliers finished with a 64-18 record, the best in the Eastern Conference, securing the #1 seed for the first time since 2016 and the first without LeBron James. They also clinched the Central Division title, their first since 2018 and the first without James since 1976.
They started the season with a franchise-record 15-0 run, tying the fourth-best start in NBA history, and later broke their own record with a 16-game winning streak.
The team led the league in offensive rating, field goal percentage, three-point percentage, effective field goal percentage, and true shooting percentage, showcasing an elite offense.
Strong Playoff Performance:
Cleveland swept the Miami Heat (4-0) in the first round of the playoffs, demonstrating dominance against a lower seed.
Key players like Donovan Mitchell, Darius Garland, and Evan Mobley shone, with all three earning All-Star nods and Mobley receiving All-NBA and Defensive Player of the Year honors.
The hiring of Kenny Atkinson as head coach unlocked offensive potential, with the team posting a league-best halfcourt offense (107.9 points/100 possessions) and overall net rating (+16.6) post-trade deadline.
Roster Stability and Development:
The core four—Mitchell, Garland, Mobley, and Jarrett Allen—remained intact, with extensions signed for Mitchell and Mobley, ensuring long-term stability.
Garland returned to All-Star form, Mobley made strides as a three-point shooter, and role players like Max Strus, Dean Wade, and rookie Jaylon Tyson added depth.
Atkinson’s system emphasized team play, improving pace (top 12 at 102.17) and points off turnovers (27.0 per game).
Fan and Organizational Momentum:
The season was celebrated as one of the most fun in franchise history, with fans highlighting moments like the 15-0 start and Mobley’s leap.
The front office, led by Koby Altman, was praised for minimal but effective changes, including hiring Atkinson and drafting Jaylon Tyson.
The Bad
Playoff Disappointment:
Despite their regular-season dominance, the Cavaliers were upset by the Indiana Pacers in the Eastern Conference Semifinals (1-4), losing in five games. A particularly devastating 129-109 loss in Game 4 highlighted defensive breakdowns.
The team struggled against Indiana’s relentless offense, with poor point-of-attack defense, slow rotations, and an inability to counter pick-and-roll mismatches led by Tyrese Haliburton.
Structural Concerns:
Questions resurfaced about the roster’s construction, particularly the small backcourt of Mitchell and Garland and the lack of spacing when Mobley and Allen shared the floor. These issues limited postseason versatility against elite teams.
Critics, including beat reporter Chris Fedor, argued that the team’s build may cap its postseason ceiling, despite regular-season success.
Injuries and Inconsistency:
Injuries to Garland, Mobley, and De’Andre Hunter during the playoffs, along with a possible ankle issue for Mitchell, hampered performance.
Post-All-Star break, the team’s performance dipped to a 17-11 record (50-win pace), suggesting a regression from their early-season 43-11 peak.
Offseason Uncertainty:
The early playoff exit sparked speculation about potential trades, with names like Garland, Jarrett Allen, Dean Wade, and Isaac Okoro mentioned. The team’s high payroll and second-apron restrictions may force tough decisions, potentially limiting roster flexibility.
Some fans and analysts view the season as a missed opportunity, with a 64-win team expected to advance further.
