The Cleveland Cavaliers came out swinging in 2024–25, opening the season with a 15-0 run and fueling talk of a 70-win campaign. They didn’t quite get there, but 64 wins and the top seed in the East made it their second-best regular-season finish in franchise history.
Their dominance brought in the hardware — Kenny Atkinson was named Coach of the Year, Evan Mobley took home Defensive Player of the Year, and the team landed three All-Stars: Donovan Mitchell, Mobley, and Darius Garland.
Storming their way into the playoffs, the Cavaliers swept the Heat 4-0 in the opening round, winning the final game by as much as 55 points. Gearing up for the semi-finals against the Pacers, the Cavs suffered a tragic upset and were eliminated in five games.
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Addressing the subject in the latest episode of his podcast, “Timeout with Dwyane Wade,” the three-time champion wasn’t convinced about the Cavaliers getting better next season.
“The Cavs obviously they have a young core. They had a very good year; you can’t take away this season,” said Wade. “Coach of the Year, Defensive Player of the Year, Don (Donovan) had a very mature year. Took his way to the next level. So it’s unfortunate that it happened; they had a very good year. If you’re the PR for the Cavs, you’re putting out a message to send that the future looks bright. But the future, now? And that was disappointing. It wasn’t about the injuries for me; it was about getting into the fight, getting into the competition.”
The playoff upset
Looking at the way the Cavaliers began their 2025 postseason stint, a semi-final exit was surprising, to say the least. Certainly, Garland, Mobley, and Mitchell missing games due to injuries played a significant role, but Cleveland also seemed to lack a fighting spirit.
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“Spida Mitchell’s” exit from Game Four with a sprained ankle served as the final nail in the coffin. Wasting no time, the Pacers wrapped up the series in five games. The blown leads and shooting struggles highlighted the Cavaliers’ lack of mental and physical toughness.
“No. 1 seed, I felt like the Pacers took the fight to them. Pacers took that underdog mentality right to them and they look like they wasn’t prepared for it….I didn’t see that mentality when it comes to the Cavs, and it just seemed like they were shell-shocked and shocked by the force that the Pacers was coming at them,” added Heat legend.
This was the Cavs’ second straight second-round exit — a troubling trend for a team that looked dominant from October to April but fades when it matters most. With so much youth on the roster, the front office may need to add a few seasoned vets to help steady the ship in the postseason.
Can “Spida Mitchell” run it back with the same crew?
An unfortunate turn of events for the Louisville alumnus, who once again failed to get past the second round. A recurring theme in the 28-year-old’s playoff career. Starting strong against the Heat, the 6’3″ guard accounted for impressive scoring nights with his streaky 3-point shooting.
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Continuing his high-volume scoring in the series against the Pacers, there were some concerns about his 3-point efficiency. In his defense, the six-time All-Star was entrusted with most of the offense’s responsibilities due to the roster’s injuries.
Entering the off-season, the front office should look to add a player of Al Horford or Nicolas Batum’s caliber to add veteran presence, and rely on the growth of their youth to help Mitchell carry the load.
The talent is there, but Cleveland’s inability to execute in high-pressure moments suggests they’re still missing something. Whether that’s experience, toughness, or a shift in mentality — next season will be a defining one for this core.