Kenny Atkinson is the Cavalier most to blame for Game 3 loss to Knicks

The New York Knicks convincingly beat the Cleveland Cavaliers 121-108 in Rocket Arena in a game that the Cavaliers desperately needed. Cleveland surged back from down 2-0 in the first round against the Pistons to advance, and they headed into this game hoping for the same luck against the red-hot Knicks. But a lack of effort and gambling on three-point shots that didn’t fall ultimately is why Cleveland is set to see their season end—despite the triumph of making it to the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time since 2018.

Sports wins and losses often have a very interesting butterfly effect. If you change the outcome of one game, perhaps the trajectory of the entire series is different. The Cavaliers can point to Game 1, and specifically the hubris of Kenny Atkinson, for the reason why they’re one game away from heading home.

In Game 1, the Cavaliers found themselves ahead by 22 points as Game 1 drew to an end. They were clicking on all cylinders despite playing a highly anticipated Game 7 against the Pistons two days earlier. Donovan Mitchell connected on four three-pointers and finished with 29 points. Evan Mobley had a double-double, clocking in at 15 points and 14 rebounds. James Harden, who has had his highs and lows in the 2026 NBA playoffs, clocked in with 15 points and three assists, while Max Strus, Sam Merrill, and Dean Wade all helped as members of the supporting cast.

But ultimately, after a 35-point third quarter, the Cavaliers allowed the New York Knicks to complete a 22-point comeback to force overtime. Cleveland then scored only three points in overtime, totaling just 21 points combined between the fourth quarter and overtime. Jalen Brunson scored 15 points in the fourth quarter and was 7-of-9 from the field during the run for the Knicks that ultimately decided the series. Had Kenny Atkinson taken the appropriate timeouts to quell the momentum and possibly make adjustments to his game plan against the Knicks, we could be looking at a different series.

You have to go back to Game 1 to look at the result of the ensuing two games. The Cavaliers have not played with the requisite intensity to pull off what would be an upset of the New York Knicks, who have arguably been the best team in the playoffs after going down 2-1 to the Atlanta Hawks. They had a shot to send the Knicks staggering back on their heels and missed it. The Cavs ceded control right then and there.

The Cleveland Cavaliers have a roster that’s good enough to make it to the NBA Finals, but their strategy, particularly on defense, can leave you scratching your head. Throughout the series, James Harden has been picked on by the New York Knicks’ offense. They’ve made it a mission to take advantage of Harden’s lack of defensive intensity both in half-court sets and in the open court on fast breaks.

On the other end, Cleveland has struggled to get Jalen Brunson involved in the defensive action, the same way the Knicks have been getting Harden targeted. The Knicks’ offense has been prolific, as Brunson has not been the only player who has found himself at the top of the box score. In Game 3, Mikal Bridges scored 22 points, OG Anunoby scored 21 points, Josh Hart scored 12 points and hit two three-pointers, and Landry Shamet scored 14 points to go along with Jalen Brunson’s 30 points and six assists, and Karl-Anthony Towns’ 13 points and eight assists. Mike Brown has devised an offense for the New York Knicks that has allowed the role players to take the load off the stars in creating offense.

It seems that the Cavaliers have not been able to do the same with Atkinson. The Cavaliers’ offense has been simple and predictable. They live and die by the three-pointer, and when the three-point shot isn’t going in, they’re almost hopeless against the opposing team—especially a team as good as the Knicks. The Cavaliers were 12-of-41 from three-point land in Game 3, shooting 13 more three-point attempts than the Knicks, while also boasting 17 turnovers and a woeful 63.2% from the free-throw line. It’s hard to blame the players on the court solely for this level of play; you also have to consider the person in charge of the team’s strategy.

On Memorial Day, the Cavaliers’ season will likely end. If they win Game 4, they’ll just be delaying the inevitable. The avalanche of their problems began when they blew a 22-point lead in Game 1, and the sole reason for where they are is not James Harden or Donovan Mitchell.

It’s Kenny Atkinson.

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