One secret to the Cavs making a championship run despite injury issues

When you are thrown into the deep end of the pool, you have to learn how to swim. That was the common denominator Cleveland Cavaliers‘ words leading to theirs season opener against the New York Knicks on Wednesday night. In an outpouring of déjà vu, the Cavs have injury problems at the start of the 2025-26 campaign, bringing about the most clichéd yet apt phrase in sports: next man up. But in their case, it is the following men up.

By earning the trust of the organization, Jaylon Tyson, Craig Porter Jr. and Tyrese Proctor will have a critical opportunity to showcase the months of extra work they put in earlier this year. Specifically, because another unfortunate injury to De’Andre Hunterit starts immediately.

“I think, I think it’s going to translate into our young guys having to be ready to go,” the Cavs head coach Kenny Atkinson he said after practice on Tuesday. “Totally sure of it. We’ve done a lot of work with them this summer. Throw them in the fire.”

“You throw them into the fire early,” Cleveland star guard Donovan Mitchell added. “Tyreez’s first game is at the Garden against the Knicks. Like, what’s a better first game? And he’s going to play. There’s going to be minutes there. Craig, same thing. Jaylon, same thing. Obviously, me, Ev (Mobley), and Dre (Hunter) and ME (Jarrett, but we Allen) and the guys were there before we were electric, and the guys. we’re excited.”

Tyson, Porter and Proctor received rave reviews during training camp. They’ve been in the gym into the wee hours since July, competing and challenging each other in a case of iron sharpening iron.

“We got a lot of concepts over the summer,” Proctor said after a successful preseason opener against the Chicago Bulls. “That made training camp a little bit easier in terms of the playbook. Then it was just reading the floor and playing our game.”

It’s time to show up and show

From top to bottom, the franchise took notice.

“Vets see the work they’ve done and the commitment they’ve taken,” Atkinson said. “I think it’s their performance based on the scrimmage and the preseason. I thought they were all pretty good, but that’s it. Now it’s the real thing. Throw them in the fire and see where they are. I’m absolutely confident that all three guys can be in our rotation, and maybe they should.”

“I think it’s going to be fun for guys like Tyreese, especially at MSG,” Cavs center Jarrett Allen added. “They’re going to hear it, probably at the top. Opening night, people are going to be there, be loud. It’s exciting for them. I hope they’re not nervous and they’re just going to enjoy it all.”

Larry Nance Jr. joined the party late in the offseason, but even he heard about the mark they left and saw it firsthand in practice.

“From what everyone said, it was fantastic,” Nance said. “Obviously, I just got there in the second half, but they said these guys are locked in the gym. And with Jaylon, you can tell his physicality has gotten bigger. Craig is tight. The pace he’s been playing with has picked up now. Tyrese, coming in as a rookie, he’s got a long way to go, but he’s still got a lot of room. The confidence on the court speaks volumes for what he’s going to be in this league. So I understand the feeling.”

Tyson and Porter totally get it the magnitude of what is required of them.

“Understanding what’s at stake,” Tyson said Tuesday of playing his part. “We’re trying to win a championship, so with me and my role on this team, I’ve got to limit mistakes and make winning plays. Fifty-fifty for me should be 70-30. I’m just doing the little things to help this team win. I feel like the expectations are high, right? My biggest thing is how can I help these guys get on the field this year.”

“I’m just preparing for it — I’m not afraid to shoot, miss, shoot and have guys on my a**,” Porter told ClutchPoints in an exclusive pre-training camp interview. “I just want to get better and really be there for the team and do what I can…Obviously, my rookie year was a lot different than last year, but I feel like I’ve exceeded my own expectations just with the opportunities I’ve been given. But I know there’s a lot more locked in, so honestly, the sky’s the limit, I feel like it’s all up to me. And that’s good.”

Being thankful for an NBA rarity

There’s nothing like a first impression, which can catapult this trio into a struggling team if they deliver on the same praise-worthy promise.

“Look, as a young player, these opportunities don’t come around very often, especially on a team like this,” Nance said. “For Jaylon or for Craig, Tyrese, all three of them, there are guys that are benched in OKC and benched in Denver on teams that are of a certain caliber. Like, you’re going to be locked in a little bit. And so the fact that they get a little run and get this experience will speak volumes for them.”

Proctor does not shy away from the spotlight. In fact, after his outstanding performance in camp and during the preseason, he’s managing it.

“I just do the best I can when I’m on the floor,” Proctor said. “Last time I just talked about winning games, something I want to be remembered for. I think the big thing is just winning the ball all over the court. I think that’s an area where I can help the team whenever my name is called. Just picking up, turning guys in the backcourt, being a threat at the three-point line and just making the right reads.”

Obviously, Tyson and Porter have more experience than the rookie Proctor, but this is a real test for each of them as they get real-time experience from the jump. It’s something that shouldn’t be taken for granted, and most importantly, it’s time to have fun playing the game they love.

“Honestly, it doesn’t matter where you start in this league,” Allen said. “If you’re a rookie coming into this, you have to get used to it on the fly. Home games, away games, it’s still a lot to get used to.”

“You just teach them everything that we know. There’s a lot to learn when you come to the NBA. A lot that you think you know, but you really don’t. So you just try to help them progress, understand that it’s a day-by-day process and you just have to go with your head.”