Cavaliers overcome injuries, show promise in bounce-back season

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The mood in the Cavaliers' locker room alternated between disbelief and delight in the raw moments following their play-in loss to Atlanta.

Pain mixed with pride.

And as Cleveland's players — many of them with zero postseason experience — reflected on falling short of the playoffs after all they endured over the past months, one sentiment trumped all others.

"We had a hell of a year," said All-Star center Jarrett Allen, who returned Friday for the last game after missing 19 straight with a broken finger. "A lot has happened this year — positive, negative, but we look at all the times that we did play well, and we came together.

"And that was all positive."

The Cavaliers seemingly came out of nowhere to double their win total from 2021 (22 to 44) and make the play-in tournament, doing it despite losing leading scorer Collin Sexton and veteran guard Ricky Rubio to season-ending knee injuries and adversity that might have fractured other teams.

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Cleveland Cavaliers' Jarrett Allen (31) defends Atlanta Hawks Trae Young (11) during the first half of an NBA play-in basketball game Friday, April 15, 2022, in Cleveland.  (AP Photo/Nick Cammett)

But these young Cavs were connected, woven together by a combination of youth, dedication and sacrifice. They acted and played more like a college team, willing to share the ball and spotlight.

"This was the most fun I’ve had since I’ve been in the NBA," said coach J.B. Bickerstaff, who received a contract extension in December and then played 29 different starting lineups due to the injuries. "I didn’t have one bad day with these guys going to work. Wins,