Cavs won’t commit to a starting small forward yet
Head coach Kenny Atkinson wants to be flexible with his starting unit.
MIAMI, FL - APRIL 28: Max Strus #1 shakes hands with Dean Wade #32 of the Cleveland Cavaliers during the game against Miami Heat during round 1 game 4 of the 2025 NBA Playoffs on April 28, 2025 at Kaseya Center in Miami, Florida. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2025 NBAE (Photo by Eric Espada/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images INDEPENDENCE — The Cleveland Cavaliers had 41 different starting lineups throughout the regular season.
That was mostly due to injuries and major trades that shook up the roster at the deadline. But of those 41 different combinations, one has yet to stick out with the playoffs starting on Saturday. As of now, head coach Kenny Atkinson isn’t ready to name a fifth starter to go alongside the core group of James Harden, Donovan Mitchell, Evan Mobley, and Jarrett Allen.
He was asked again after practice on Wednesday who the starting small forward would be, and declined to name one. “I don’t want to say something [now and then] we change [it],” Atkinson said on Wednesday. Support us and Let ‘Em Know with Homage!
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