The Cleveland Cavaliers need a hero on Saturday night.
With Evan Mobley out with a calf injury and Isaac Okoro also out with a shoulder sprain, it would take a strong collective effort to find success on the defensive end of the floor.
Coach Kenny Atkinson rolled with Caris LeVert and Dean Wade in the starting lineup for those purposes.
However, it was Georges Niang who made the biggest impact on defense.
At least, that’s how the coach felt.
Following the win, Atkinson gushed about Niang’s defensive play, not only during that game but throughout the course of the whole season (via Chris Fedor):
“He’s the guy who makes the bench go. His defense this year, he’s been really good and that keeps him on the court.”
#Cavs Kenny Atkinson said Georges Niang was the team's best defensive player tonight. Atkinson raved about Niang's impact off the bench.
"He's the guy who makes the bench go. His defense this year, he's been really good and that keeps him on the court"
— Chris Fedor (@ChrisFedor) January 19, 2025
Niang has been a great veteran for the Cavaliers.
He’s been a glue guy on and off the floor.
He’s the kind of player who does all the little things, and while they don’t always reflect in his stats, they definitely have a major impact on winning basketball games.
The veteran had one of his best games of the season.
He finished the win with 15 points and 10 rebounds on 5-of-7 from the floor and 3-of-4 from beyond the arc.
He also had the fourth-highest box plus-minus on the team (+9 in a seven-point win).
The core four will always get most of the praise, and rightfully so, as there’s a reason why they’re All-Star-caliber players.
But you cannot win in this league without a deep team.
Fortunately, Atkinson has found a deep rotation full of players who, like Niang, will always step up when needed.
NEXT: Kenny Atkinson Has Honest Admission About Win Over Timberwolves
