The Cleveland Cavaliers’ 2024–25 season concluded with a disappointing 4–1 series loss to the Indiana Pacers in the Eastern Conference Semifinals, despite a franchise-best 64-win regular season. Injuries to key players significantly impacted their playoff performance.(Fear The Sword, The Playoffs)
Donovan Mitchell, the team’s leading scorer, suffered a left ankle sprain during Game 4, which limited his effectiveness in Game 5. Despite scoring 35 points in the final game, his mobility was noticeably hindered .(Fear The Sword)
Evan Mobley returned from an ankle injury in Game 3 and performed admirably, averaging 18 points and 13 rebounds in that game. However, the cumulative effect of injuries across the roster, including those to Darius Garland and De’Andre Hunter, disrupted team cohesion and depth .(Fear The Sword)
Head Coach Kenny Atkinson acknowledged the team’s lack of physical and mental toughness in high-pressure situations as a key reason for their postseason failures . The Cavaliers now face a challenging offseason with limited resources and tight salary cap constraints, necessitating strategic decisions to bolster the roster and improve resilience for future playoff runs.
