Cleveland Cavs head coach Kenny Atkinson and his team’s losing streak extended to four on Friday as they lost 123-112 to the Phoenix Suns. While All-Star Donovan Mitchell blamed himself for the Cavs’ skid, Atkinson doesn’t think now is the time for his team to play with desperation.
Atkinson says the Cavs have to return to the level of focus they’ve had all season, which has led them to the Eastern Conference standings lead, per Cleveland.com’s Chris Fedor.
“We have a process in place. We have our playoff focus. It’s attention to *those* details. I don’t know if you play well when you’re desperate. Keep a calm mindset.”
Despite outscoring the Suns 33-25 in the final frame, the Cavs couldn’t cut their deficit as they cruised to an 11-point victory. All-Star Darius Garland’s 18 points led five Cavs players in double figures, including De’Andre Hunter’s 17 points, Evan Mobley (16 points), Ty Jerome (16 points), and Issac Okoro (10 points).
Donovan Mitchell assigns blame for Cavs’ 4-game losing streak
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Cavs All-Star Donovan Mitchell took the blame for Friday’s loss. Head coach Kenny Atkinson watched Mitchell finish with seven points and four rebounds, but he hasn’t won since before the Cavs’ 16-game win streak was snapped in a 108-103 loss to the Magic.
Mitchell says it’s his job to steer the Cavs in the right direction, per Cleveland.com’s Chris Fedor.
“Put this on me,” Mitchell said. “When your leader ain’t doing [expletive], this is what happens. If I’m not being who I need to be then we’re not going to get to where we want to get to. So, until that happens — and it will — yeah, if you’re looking for where to point, it’s right here.”
Despite the four-game skid, the Cavs remain atop the Eastern Conference standings with a 56-14 record. Looking at the bigger picture, Mitchell magnified what’s most important, per The Athletic’s Joe Vardon.
“You want to be healthy and playing the right way. If that comes with it, then, yeah, (clinching the No. 1 overall seed matters). We’re competitors, and we want to be the best of the best. But at the end of the day, we want to be healthy, playing the right way and taking these tests, and if we don’t (finish ahead of Oklahoma City), then we don’t,” Mitchell said.
Mitchell is averaging 20.9 points but shooting at a 32.9% clip, including 17.9% from deep, 5.1 rebounds, 5.0 assists, and 1.0 steals per game in March. Mitchell and the Cavs will look to snap their losing streak against the Jazz on Sunday.
