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Cavs wonât commit to a starting small forward yet
TL;DR
The Cleveland Cavaliers have not yet committed to a starting small forward ahead of the playoffs, despite using 41 different lineups during the regular season. Head coach Kenny Atkinson is cautious about naming a fifth starter alongside key players like James Harden and Donovan Mitchell.
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INDEPENDENCE â The Cleveland Cavaliers had 41 different starting lineups throughout the regular season. That was mostly due to injuries and major trades that shook up the roster at the deadline. But of those 41 different combinations, one has yet to stick out with the playoffs starting on Saturday.
As of now, head coach Kenny Atkinson isnât ready to name a fifth starter to go alongside the core group of James Harden, Donovan Mitchell, Evan Mobley, and Jarrett Allen. He was asked again after practice on Wednesday who the starting small forward would be, and declined to name one.
âI donât want to say something [now and then] we change [it],â Atkinson said on Wednesday.
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Atkinson mentioned that who that fifth starter would be is matchup dependent. And those matchups depend on whoâs in the lineup for their opponent.
The Raptorsâ starting point guard, Immanuel Quickley, has a hamstring injury. He participated in individual work on Wednesday, but his status is still day-to-day heading into the series. Quickleyâs availability could impact who the Cavs insert into the fifth starting role.
Atkinson has been steadfast in not naming a permanent starting small forward. Dean Wade, Max Strus, Sam Merrill, and Jaylon Tyson have all gotten looks this season in that role. Each brings something different to the table that could be useful, depending on who the opponent is.
Based on those comments, it seems like we wonât get an answer on who will start at the three until just before Game 1 on Saturday. And whoever starts isnât guaranteed to do so throughout the entire postseason.
âThat position is going to be flexible in terms of starting and finishing,â Atkinson said earlier this month. âYou have to earn it.â
Q&A
Why hasn't the Cleveland Cavaliers named a starting small forward yet?
The Cavaliers have not named a starting small forward due to uncertainty and the possibility of lineup changes, as stated by head coach Kenny Atkinson.
How many different starting lineups did the Cavaliers use during the regular season?
The Cavaliers used 41 different starting lineups throughout the regular season, primarily due to injuries and trades.
Who are the core players for the Cavaliers heading into the playoffs?
The core players for the Cavaliers include James Harden, Donovan Mitchell, Evan Mobley, and Jarrett Allen.
