Cavs Rumors: Kenny Atkinson, Donovan Mitchell, James Harden

“There’s going to be major question marks… about what Kenny Atkinson’s future… looks like,” Brett Siegel of Clutch Points said.

Atkinson was Coach of the Year last season. That doesn’t buy much time in May.

The Cavs were built to get over the hump. If they don’t, the conversation shifts quickly from progress to accountability.

And it won’t just be about the players.

Atkinson not alone

Whoever loses this series is going to feel it.

That’s the reality, as Jason Lloyd of The Athletic noted. For Cleveland, that means more urgency around Donovan Mitchell and whether he can carry this team when it matters most.

He looked like himself again in Game 2, scoring 31 points and attacking the paint. The outside shot still hasn’t been there.

The Cavs need the full version. Not just stretches.

Harden’s struggles

James Harden was brought in for this exact moment. So far, it hasn’t gone that way.

The veteran guard has more turnovers than made field goals in four of Cleveland’s nine playoff games, including both games against Detroit.

“You look within first,” Harden said. “A lot of them are just on me… I got to be better. I will be better.”

The numbers back it up. The eye test does, too.

For the Cavs to turn this series, that has to change.

Mitchell embracing moment

If there’s pressure, Mitchell isn’t buying into it.

“This isn’t pressure,” he said. “Getting your next meal is pressure… This is an opportunity. This is fun.”

Mitchell says the Cavs have done the work. Made the moves. Now it’s about finishing.

“We’ve done the talk. Now, just continue to walk the walk,” he said.

That’s where Cleveland stands. Built to win now. Down in the series. Answers needed quickly.

And a summer that could look very different depending on what comes next.