The Cleveland Cavaliers opened their 2026-27 NBA preseason with a 124-113 loss to the Boston Celtics on Thursday night, but head coach Kenny Atkinson is already concerned about his team’s rebounding struggles.
Cleveland allowed Boston to grab 21 offensive rebounds while collecting just six of its own. The Celtics also dominated the overall rebounding battle, finishing with a 56-39 advantage.
Following the loss, Atkinson acknowledged that rebounding remains a significant issue the Cavaliers must address before the regular season.
“Rebounding is a concern coming into the season. We’ve got to do better,” Atkinson said, according to Chris Fedor of Cleveland.com.
Boston’s ability to generate second-chance opportunities exposed a weakness that could become costly for Cleveland if it continues into the regular season.
Despite the disappointing result, the Cavaliers received an encouraging performance from offseason acquisition Peyton Watson, who signed an $88 million deal with the organization.
Watson finished with seven points, four rebounds, four assists and two blocks in 17 minutes, showcasing the versatility Cleveland hopes will strengthen its starting lineup.
However, the Cavaliers will need more consistent contributions on the glass throughout their rotation to avoid similar problems moving forward.
Cavaliers look to address rebounding concerns before regular season
Atkinson’s comments highlight an early priority for Cleveland as the organization works to build chemistry following several offseason roster changes.
While preseason results carry limited significance, the Cavaliers’ 17-rebound disadvantage demonstrated an area that requires immediate improvement.
Cleveland will have two more opportunities to address those concerns before the regular season begins.
The Cavaliers will host the Orlando Magic on Sunday at 6:30 p.m. ET on ESPN before concluding their preseason schedule Tuesday against Orlando at Kia Center. That matchup is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET on NBC and Peacock.