BOSTON — The number zero often symbolizes the absence of something, but when it’s in a team’s loss column, it tells a very different story – one woven of triumphs, setbacks, tactical genius and strokes of luck.
The Cleveland Cavaliers, the Boston Celtics and the entire NBA fraternity looked back at that perfect 15-0 record last week, knowing that perfection wasn’t meant to last.
As the evening unfolded, Donovan Mitchell found comfort in the inevitability of it all. Excitement coursed through him as he prepared to challenge the defending champions on their hallowed turf, a match that carried the allure of a trip to the NBA Cup Finals in Las Vegas. More than just a game, he was eager to learn the valuable lessons that awaited him and his team.
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Looking back on their last clash, which ended in despair last May at TD Garden, Mitchell was keen to assess how much the team had progressed under new coach Kenny Atkinson and an overhaul in philosophy offensive. The early signs were promising, and the stakes were high in this decisive match against a title contender.
“At the end of the day, winning a championship was not on the agenda today or tomorrow,” Mitchell said. “We see this as a touchstone, but we’re also committed to enjoying the journey.”
He recognized that their previous game plan had become rather predictable. “It was me, Darius Garland, and pick-and-rolls, rinse and repeat.” Now, under Atkinson’s leadership, they are adopting an eclectic offensive style, peppered with unexpected off-ball cuts, quicker transitions, and an increase in three-point attempts. This new style of play borrows elements from the Celtics, Warriors and other recent teams known for their unpredictability.
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Evan Mobley has established himself as the driving force behind Cleveland’s rise, showcasing his offensive talents in multiple ways. Historically, the Cavs have shown potential in the Eastern Conference but have often fallen short. However, with Mobley heading into the future, he viewed this game against the Celtics as an opportunity to solidify their contender status.
“We’re here to prove that we are legitimate contenders, not just a flash in the pan,” Mobley said. “Our goal is to win games and get better every day.”
With the best offensive rating in the league and an immaculate record, the Cavs would soon face reality by giving up that precious zero in the loss column, a stark reminder when Jayson Tatum sealed the victory for the Celtics with a free throw late in the game .
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The night encapsulated Cleveland’s journey from the spring playoffs to the fall season. A disastrous first half was in Boston’s favor, a reassessment after the break, but ultimately they trailed. Despite missing key contributions from players like Caris LeVert, Isaac Okoro and Dean Wade, Atkinson managed to get 36 points from his bench.
Initially, Cleveland struggled to embody its new identity, allowing Boston to establish a solid 17-point halftime advantage. In contrast, they held the Celtics to their lowest three-point attempt rate of the season, with 41 of Boston’s 86 shots (47.6 percent) coming from distance. Although Atkinson welcomes an increase in three-point attempt index, he remains firm on preserving their fundamental style of play.
“We have to stay true to ourselves,” Atkinson stressed. “We can’t suddenly turn around and say, ‘Let’s shoot 60 three-pointers this half.’ We have to maintain our style and play our game.”
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However, when Boston is in top form, it is a challenge for any opponent. Even the Cavs, with their perfect record, found it difficult to assert themselves in the arena where their previous season ended. It’s not easy to dictate terms against the Celtics. They remind the Cavs what it means to change pace.
“They showed playoff intensity and physicality,” Atkinson admitted. “We showed regular-season intensity and physicality.”
The Cavs often resorted to isolations and pick-and-rolls, a somewhat contradictory approach given Mitchell’s pregame comments about evolving beyond that strategy after falling to the Celtics in the playoffs.
“We were too focused on finding mismatches, looking for them too often,” Mobley reflects. “In the second half, we adopted a more fluid style, getting back to our brand of basketball. That’s when we made our push.”
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Emerging from the locker room, Cleveland relied on the unpredictable nature of their cutting system, making them a formidable offensive challenge. Mobley rose to the occasion, naturally targeting advantageous mismatches, finishing the night with a season-high six assists along with 22 points on efficient 8-of-13 shooting.
This stood in stark contrast to last season’s playoff struggles, where Mobley’s effectiveness was often the result of the Celtics’ defensive scheme, which aimed to stifle Cleveland’s outside players while allowing Mobley a clear path to the basket to two-point shots.
In preparation for this clash, Mobley spent time reshaping his game, becoming a versatile player on the pitch and allowing him to create opportunities throughout the match. Initially uncertain about Atkinson’s approach, Mobley praised his coach for tailoring the offense to suit his growing skill set.
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After the tough loss, Atkinson admitted he should have capitalized on Mobley’s strengths against the Boston guard earlier, saying, “(Mobley) could exploit those shifts, and we need to prioritize that going forward. As and as we get closer to the playoffs, teams will change their guard to emphasize him more.”
For the Cavaliers, traditionally dependent on Mitchell and Garland to orchestrate the offense, this represents a transformative moment. They may have relied too much on that reliance initially, a strategy that backfired when Garland struggled in that game.
While Boston enjoys a brief period of rest this week, having only two games on the schedule, the Cavs have faced relentless action with no days off since the start of the season. After racking up wins, a misstep was inevitable, and it fell to Garland, who struggled mightily, finishing with a miserable 3-of-21 shooting, including 0-of-6 from three-point range. Only rookie Sam Merrill, who logged minimal minutes, had lower point production.
“He hit a wall tonight,” Atkinson remarked. “He may not admit it, but I will. It’s part of the harsh reality of the NBA, and it’s unfortunate that it happened tonight.”
Garland, dismissing the fatigue narrative, attributed his struggles simply to poor shooting accuracy, although the Celtics’ backcourt, led by Jrue Holiday and Derrick White, has consistently challenged him since their playoff meeting in May. Their mix of physicality and discipline posed problems for Garland, forcing him out of his comfort zone.
While the Cavaliers gained crucial insights Tuesday night, Garland needs to revisit his strategy ahead of their rematch in two weeks.
“They present unique challenges that push you into difficult situations,” Atkinson said. “We will have to store these experiences and adjust our game accordingly.”
With their undefeated status now gone, the Cavs never took those victories for granted. As Mitchell eloquently said, no matter the outcome, this match served as a learning experience rather than a definition of their identity.
Mitchell never anticipated a flawless start. Who could? He saw glimmers of the team’s potential, understanding the obstacles that lay ahead. Although they are a team capable of dominating the league, they are now fully aware that challenges lie ahead. The time has come to overcome the first.
“We see this as another test. No championship is being awarded tonight,” Mitchell said. “The most important thing is our continuous improvement.”
