Kenny Atkinson rips Cavs poor defensive effort: ‘Our leaders got to take ownership’
The Cavs defeated the Magic despite their lack of defense.
CLEVELAND, OHIO - MARCH 24: Head coach Kenny Atkinson of the Cleveland Cavaliers talks with Donovan Mitchell #45 during the first half against the Orlando Magic at Rocket Arena on March 24, 2026 in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Nick Cammett/Getty Images) | Getty Images You would not have believed that the Cleveland Cavaliers had just won a basketball game based on head coach Kenny Atkinson’s first comments in the press room after their 136-131 win over the Orlando Magic .
In fact, you likely would have thought the Cavs were blown out. “I just told the team, if we’re going to play defense like this, we’re going to have a short playoff stint,” Atkinson said in response to a question about Donovan Mitchell and James Harden lighting it up on offense. “Right now we have a mentality that we are just going to outscore people, and we all know come playoff time it’s not going to be that easy.
” Atkinson is referring to the Cavs allowing a mediocre Magic team to put up 131 points on the road – and on the second half of a back-to-back no less. The Cavs appeared to have put the clamps down some in the third quarter, but the Magic were never kept down long enough to stop the bleeding. When asked what the biggest issue with the defense was, Atkinson again did not mince words.
“The compete level, and then along with the compete level there’s an IQ level,” he said. “So if your compete level is not there defensively, you’re missing close outs, not understanding personnel, and that is the IQ part. ” Atkinson went on to outline that he’s most frustrated because he knows they’re capable of being better.