FEATURE OF THE DAY
How Keon Ellis and Dennis Schroder Have Made Immediate Impacts in Cleveland
Danny Cunnigham, The Inside Shot
LEAGUEWIDE
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Joe Vardon/Sam Amick, The Athletic
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Jacob Sutton, JSutt Hoops
TEAM-SPECIFIC
BOS: Jayson Tatum’s return date remains a mystery, but there are signs he is building momentum
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BOS: Jayson Tatum on returning to Celtics this season: ‘Nothing is set in stone’
Jay King, The Athletic
BOS: Building a Better Bench: the Celtics have nailed talent recognition and player development
Rich Jensen, Celtics Blog
CLE: How Keon Ellis and Dennis Schroder Have Made Immediate Impacts in Cleveland
Danny Cunningham, The Inside Shot
CLE: Cavaliers Unsung Heroes Catching Kenny Atkinson’s Eye During Win Streak
John Hobbs, Sports Illustrated
Cleveland’s bench may not light up the scoring column, but its impact is undeniable.
Atkinson has leaned on a high-energy trio featuring Keon Ellis, Dennis Schroder and Nae’Quan Tomlin, a group that shifts the tempo the moment it checks in. Their pace is relentless, turning half-court matchups into chaotic, up-and-down stretches that disrupt opponents’ rhythm.
“That second unit is our energy unit, and it just all of a sudden changes the whole speed of the game,” Atkinson explained. “We speed the other team up, and it’s nice to have that change of pace. I know that’s hard to play against.”
The defensive tone begins with Ellis. He combines fast hands, a quick vertical leap and impressive length to deflect passes and contest shots.
His instincts are unmatched on this Cavaliers side, that that is something that isn’t spoken about. He doesn’t simply react to plays; he predicts them.
Ellis routinely anticipates developing actions, jumps passing lanes, and forces ball-handlers into uncomfortable decisions. His deflections often spark immediate transition opportunities.
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