The Cleveland Cavaliers narrowly lost to the Boston Celtics on Tuesday night, falling 110-107 in a hard-fought game. Their undefeated 15-0 stretch to start the season ended. Darius Garland, typically a reliable closer for the Cavs, struggled mightily. Meanwhile, reserves Craig Porter Jr. and Sam Merrill showed flashes of brilliance. This raises an intriguing question: should head coach Kenny Atkinson have benched Garland in crunch time like Charles Lee?
Atkinson Could Have Done A Charles Lee On Garland
Garland’s Tough Night
Garland had a night to forget. He shot a dismal 3-for-21 from the field and scored just eight points. His struggles extended to the fourth quarter, where he added only two points while missing key shots.
Garland’s shooting woes were uncharacteristic of him this season. He’s had a bounce-back season. However, Garland couldn’t overcome his shooting issues on the night. Still, Atkinson opted to keep Garland on the floor in the final minutes, sticking with his star guard despite the poor shooting performance.
The Case for Craig Porter Jr.
Porter Jr. had one of his best games as a Cavalier. He finished with 15 points on 6-of-8 shooting, including a perfect 3-for-3 from beyond the arc. His energy on both ends of the floor kept Cleveland within striking distance throughout the game.
Porter’s ability to make smart decisions and hit big shots made him a strong candidate for crunch-time minutes. His hot hand may have been what the Cavaliers needed to overcome Boston’s stifling defense in the closing minutes.
Merrill’s Efficient Shooting
Merrill also made a strong case for inclusion in the closing lineup. Merrill scored six points, shooting 2-of-3 from three-point range and providing spacing the Cavs desperately needed.
Merrill’s ability to stretch the floor could have opened up driving lanes for Donovan Mitchell, who had a stellar 35-point performance. Adding Merrill’s shooting alongside Mitchell in the final moments might have given Cleveland a better chance to win.
Should Atkinson Have Gone ‘Charles Lee’ on Garland?
The decision to bench a star player in crunch time is never easy. Coaches must weigh short-term results against long-term trust and chemistry. Charlotte Hornets head coach, Charles Lee recently benched LaMelo Ball in a similar situation, prioritizing strategy over star power.
Atkinson faced a comparable dilemma with Garland. On one hand, Garland has earned the trust of his teammates and coaching staff through consistent play this season. On the other hand, his shooting struggles were undeniable, and both Porter and Merrill had hot hands.
Risking Trust vs. Chasing Victory
Benching Garland could have jeopardized his confidence and the trust he has in Atkinson. Franchise players often view late-game benchings as a slight, potentially straining relationships between players and coaches.
However, prioritizing performance over reputation can send a message to the team: winning matters most. By pulling a “Charles Lee,” Atkinson could have shown with Garland that no player is above being substituted for the good of the team.
Atkinson may Have Made the Right Decision
The Cavaliers are still topping the Eastern Conference, so they could afford to lose this game. Atkinson’s decision to stick with Garland reflects his belief in his star guard’s ability to overcome adversity.
However, this loss highlights the importance of making tough decisions in critical moments. Garland’s struggles and the strong performances from Porter and Merrill make one wonder: should Atkinson have done a Charles Lee?
Only time will tell if this game becomes a turning point in how Atkinson handles crunch-time decisions. For now, it’s a reminder that even star players are not immune to being outperformed on a given night.
On Wednesday night, Cleveland easily defeated the very short-handed New Orleans Pelicans 128-100, a game Garland sat out due to left groin soreness.
