The Cleveland Cavaliers dominated the regular season, finishing with the best record in the East at 64-18, but their playoff run ended in disappointment. Despite looking like championship favorites, it was the Pacers who toppled them in the conference semis. The season had its fairytale moments, including two long winning streaks, one setting a franchise record 16 straight victories.

In his first year, coach Kenny Atkinson transformed the team, leading them to a division title while unlocking the full potential of Donovan Mitchell and the roster. With Mitchell being the top scorer with 24 points on average, the team had 6 more players who scored more than 10 points on a nightly basis. Truly a team effort that helped them with the top spot in the East. Can the team continue with their domination? This is what the questions will be about.

When is Cavs Media Day?

The players will perform this duty and take responsibility on Monday, September 29, at 11 a.m. at Rocket Arena. Then the team will head out to Florida’s IMG Academy for training camp. Even the president, Koby Altman, and head coach Kenny Atkinson will hold a preseason press conference next Tuesday at 10 a.m. at Cleveland Clinic Courts.

The event officially kicks off the Cavs’ season preparations, followed by training camp. The event will be available on the Cavs’ app and on multiple platforms for fans when Donovan Mitchell, Evan Mobley, and others address the media.

This is all in preparation for the preseason games, which will be a 4-game schedule for the Cavs. Cleveland’s four-game preseason schedule tips off with a home game at Rocket Arena vs. Chicago (Oct. 7), followed by road contests at Chicago (Oct. 9) and Boston (Oct. 12), and concludes with a home game against Detroit (Oct. 14).

Roster-wise, Cleveland didn’t have a spectacular offseason, although they were linked to LeBron James. The team made sure to quietly make the additions. Lonzo Ball arrived to shore up bench playmaking, Tyrese Proctor adds youthful energy and spot-up shooting, and Larry Nance Jr. returns to bring versatility and veteran savvy. This all will be important as the team is already facing an injury crisis.

New season, new challenge for the Cavs

Last season, the team began with a 15-game winning streak. This year, it is already in doubt thanks to multiple players being sidelined. Although it’s not as bad as the Pacers and the Celtics, who have their superstar missing probably the entire season. The player in question is the All-Star point guard Darius Garland, recovering from surgery on his toe. Cleveland’s medical staff set a four to five-month recovery timeline with a cautious approach to ramping him back up.

Speaking about his injury and the subsequent recovery, Garland also told reporters he is improving step by step. “I’m ramping up every week.” The surgery was in June, but there is no assurance that by October, he will be back to his best. Apart from the 25-year-old, the Cavs also have Max Strus, who has been sidelined for months after foot surgery. He recently underwent surgery for a Jones fracture in late August, and the team expects him to miss three to four months.

Because of this, Donovan Mitchell will take the responsibility of the point guard and once again be the leader of the team. With injuries piling up, there could be a new player rising up in the ranks, Sam Merrill. For context, Merrill shot just over 40% from the field last season and 38.8% from three in the last two seasons. Apart from them, Mobley is expected to have a big season. The Cavaliers’ big man averaged 18.5 points, 9.3 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 1.6 blocks, and 0.6 steals per game, shooting 55.7% from the field and 37.0% from beyond the arc.

That resulted in his first All-Star selection and Defensive Player of the Year trophy. A repeat of history would be a sight for sore eyes. Other players like Lonzo Ball (whom they recently signed from the Bulls), Dean Wade, and Sam Merrill can ease the pressure on Donovan Mitchell when on the hardwood, but they are all prone to injuries, and this isn’t ideal for the Cavs.