As the 2024-25 NBA season nears its 30-game mark, the Cleveland Cavaliers have faced ongoing challenges with injuries. Recently, head coach Kenny Atkinson humorously remarked that every time a player returns to action, another seems to go down with an injury. This lighthearted comment came shortly after the Cavs welcomed back sharpshooter Max Strus, only to lose forward Isaac Okoro to a right shoulder injury.
Despite these setbacks, Cleveland remains the top team in the NBA. However, their ongoing injury troubles could hinder their full potential. While the Cavs boast the best offense in the league, not having a complete roster could prevent them from reaching their peak performance.
Still, it seems the injuries haven’t slowed Cleveland’s offensive momentum. In their dominant win over the Philadelphia 76ers, the Cavs scored over 120 points for the third straight game, doing so without key contributors like Okoro and Strus.
“We have a good variety,” Atkinson said. “We’re not just relying on one thing. We’re not all about pick-and-roll, or all about transition. We have a pretty solid balance in our shooting.”
One of the reasons Cleveland has maintained offensive balance despite injuries is their perimeter shooting. The Cavs have six players shooting over 40% from beyond the arc on more than two attempts per game, helping them lead the NBA in three-point shooting at 40.5%. This shooting prowess is a key factor in their offensive success.
“When you shoot the three like that, it opens up everything,” Atkinson said. “Every guy we put out there can shoot. [Jarrett Allen] is probably the only one who doesn’t shoot threes. It gives us a huge advantage.”
Cleveland’s offense also thrives on quick pace. The team takes an average of just 13.7 seconds per possession, the sixth-fastest pace in the league. This urgency forces defenses to be less organized, creating more opportunities for mismatches.
“It doesn’t let the defense set up,” said Cavs star Evan Mobley. “When you get down the floor in like six seconds, the defense isn’t set. That’s where the mismatches come in. Once the defense is set, it’s hard to score. So, the faster we play, the easier it is.”
Playing with pace and space has been a consistent formula for success this season. Cleveland’s approach generates mismatches and opportunities regardless of which players are on the floor, leading to a sense of continuity and trust among teammates—especially when faced with adversity.
“We’re having a lot of success and not getting tired of the repetition,” said superstar Donovan Mitchell. “Sometimes it can feel monotonous, but that’s what makes a great team.”
While the Cavs are currently a serious title contender, the real test will come in the postseason. Their regular-season dominance won’t mean much if it doesn’t translate into playoff success.
“At the end of the day, we’ll judge this offense by how it holds up in the playoffs,” Atkinson said. “That’s always in the back of my mind—thinking about the teams we’ll face and how we can improve. We know the defense is going to be tougher in the postseason, so that’s going to be our big challenge.”
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