The Cavaliers looked like a team missing three starters and a key reserve Nov. 2 when they took on the Atlanta Hawks at Rocket Arena. But by the time the season concludes in five and a half months, the result will appear as just another “W” in the standings.

Playing without Darius Garland (recovering from toe surgery), Max Strus (recovering from foot surgery), Jarrett Allen (broken finger) and Sam Merrill (right hip contusion), the Cavaliers scrapped their way to a hard-fought 117-109 win over the Hawks to improve to 4-3. The Hawks were without star Trae Young, who is sidelined recovering from a knee injury.

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The Cavaliers, at least now with so many key players injured, are not the juggernaut that started 15-0 last season on their way to winning the NBA East with a 64-18 record. And that’s fine with Coach Kenny Atkinson.

The undermanned #Cavaliers salvaged a 117-109 win over the #Hawks Sunday night at Rocket Arena. Coach Kenny Atkinson is big picture focused. pic.twitter.com/ezRGlc1Tzf

— Jeff Schudel (@jsproinsider) November 3, 2025

The Cavs were 6-of-24 from the field in the second quarter and trailed, 52-50, at halftime after leading 16-2 early in the first quarter. They grabbed eight of their 13 offensive rebounds in the second half to seize control of the game and end a two-game losing streak.

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“I felt like this was one we needed to get,” Atkinson said after the game. “It wasn’t a ‘must-win situation’ this early in the season, but we needed this one for our confidence, especially after the Toronto loss (112-101 on Oct. 31) because we had chances to win that one.”

Atkinson keeps talking about the “big picture” with an eye on the playoffs. He will need a strong bench to make that happen. Jaylon Tyson started in place of Garland and scored 18 points in 24 minutes. He nailed five of 11 shots from 3-point range.

Craig Porter Jr. played 21 minutes off the bench and grabbed seven rebounds — three from the offensive glass. Dean Wade scored 11 points off the bench.

The Cavaliers attempted 57 3-pointers. Atkinson wants his team to drive to the rim more. Thirty-seven misses from long range were a factor in making the game with the Hawks look ugly — that and 22 turnovers by Atlanta. The Cavaliers turned the ball over 16 times.

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“Even if we lost tonight, there would have been no panic,” Atkinson said. ”We know the team we have. The key to dealing with this slower start is to stay even-keeled and not overreact. And you can do that (overreact).

“We have these great expectations. And we’re starting off .500. But this isn’t last year’s team. There’s going to be a team or two that jumps. We have to keep focus on the big picture. I’m not upset we’re not (7-0). We’re kind of out of that game. We want to be a team that improves during the year and is ready when the playoffs come.”

The one constant is Donovan Mitchell. Mitchell missed the Toronto game with a hamstring injury. He led the way against the Hawks with 37 points — 24 in the second half.

The waters were choppy Nov. 2 for the Cavs, but Mitchell steered them to a safe harbor.