Why Cavs think Jaylon Tyson is ‘due’ for breakout NBA playoff moment

Up two games on their opponents in their first-round NBA playoff series, the Cleveland Cavaliers are still building and adjusting on the fly against the Toronto Raptors. Part of that process is Jaylon Tyson learning life in the postseason, which has come with its ups and downs, but Cavs head coach Kenny Atkinson and Jarrett Allen foresee those initial experiences paying off very soon.

“I told him today, he’s up next,” Atkinson said after Wednesday’s practice. “Max [Strus] had that big game. Core Four had their big games. It’s going to be Jaylon Tyson. I can almost guarantee that.”

“I think Jaylon’s due for having a great night, having a great series going forward,” Jarrett Allen added.

In his first couple of playoff games in the rotation, Tyson has been tasked primarily with guarding Scottie Barnes, Brandon Ingram, and RJ Barrett. He has brought his usual brand of physicality and intensity, sometimes at the cost of being called for fouls. Offensively, it’s securing extra possessions, screening for the next guy, and taking open shots.

Aside from wrapping Ingram up too much in Game 1, Atkinson has been pleased with how Tyson has performed.

“You know how in the NFL they grade? I’d give him a B+ in what we’re asking him to do,” Atkinson said. “And I know people, ‘Man, he got that offensive rebound, he crashed, he got the lefty [layup], he missed it.’ I think it was a seven-point game [in Game 2] when he hit that corner three. James [Harden] throws it across, like, hit your corner three, right?

“Is there a play or two you’re like, ‘Man, it could have been better?’ Sure. He’s going to have one of those games where he’s converting that offensive rebound, he’s getting in the half roll because they’re playing smaller, and we need him in a half roll. He’ll have a big game. It’s just a matter of time. It’s just really talking to these guys individually about the patience needed until we get there. But I’m loving what I’m seeing from him right now.”

As one of his closest confidants since he was drafted, Donovan Mitchell was pumped to see Tyson brush off an exchange of words with Barrett and Barnes and move on to the next possession. In his first year of real minutes in the postseason, it shows something.

“To have that interaction and get scored on, it can kind of deflate you,” Mitchell said. “But for him, I think James made the pass across the court. He’s wide open, knocks the three down. He doesn’t lose the mental composure. I think that’s what made him so special all season. Anytime we’ve needed him in situations, good, bad, or indifferent, he’s always been there.

“Last game, he airballs his first shot, sprints back, and causes an airball for RJ Barrett. Those are the things you want to see out of a young guy. And that little moment is a moment. That’s playoff basketball, two guys being scrappy, two teams getting after it. But my favorite part is he doesn’t allow it to affect him. He doesn’t let it compound the mistakes. He’s trying to figure things out, and that’s why he’s been special for us all year.”

Tyson just wants to perform to the best of his ability when his number gets called.

“It’s just hard to get a rotation spot in the playoffs, especially in the NBA,” Tyson said. “So I know I’ve got to be better in order to keep that spot, and I want to be on the court to help this team win. So I’ve got to keep improving and try to put my best foot forward every night.”

“It’s tough,” Evan Mobley added. “This is like his first playoff stint, so he has to find his rhythm and find where he can make plays for us and stuff like that. And I think he’s doing a good job of just taking his time, being patient with it, and the game will come to him.”

Jaylon Tyson is being a pro’s pro for the Cavs