The Cleveland Cavaliers could be in the midst of what may turn into a special season for them.
They have started the year 7-0, and their offense looks much improved in multiple ways under new head coach Kenny Atkinson.
One man who is playing well to start the new season is wing Caris LeVert, who is averaging 12.0 points in 21.7 minutes a game while shooting an amazing 61.4 percent from the field and 52.4 percent from 3-point range.
He missed their last game on Saturday, which was a 114-113 win over the Milwaukee Bucks, and he isn’t on the court for Monday’s game against those same Bucks.
Atkinson said before Monday’s game that he had no updates on the knee injury that has forced LeVert to sit, per Evan Dammarell.
#Cavs head coach Kenny Atkinson doesn’t have any updates on Caris LeVert (knee) or Dean Wade (illness) before things get rolling against the Bucks.
At this point I’d assume both players are game-time decisions.
— Evan Dammarell (@AmNotEvan) November 4, 2024
In eight previous NBA seasons, LeVert’s overall shooting efficiency was mediocre and fluctuated from year to year, but perhaps he’s turning a corner in that regard.
He has been a key part of the Cavs’ resurgence ever since he arrived midway through the 2021-22 season in a trade where they sent guard Ricky Rubio to the Indiana Pacers.
Perhaps one thing that has helped LeVert shoot a lot better than he has in the past is the faster pace Cleveland is playing at under Atkinson, who is in his first season as their head coach.
They came into Monday second in both points per game and offensive rating and third in fast-break points per game, and this change in offensive philosophy could very well result in an extended playoff run this spring.
NEXT: Kenny Atkinson Has Honest Admission About Cavs' Rebounding
