Garland Sounds Alarm as Cavaliers Struggle to Meet Expectations

The Cleveland Cavaliers entered the season with expectations that went far beyond simple contention in the Eastern Conference. After finishing last year with the conference’s best record and bringing back an expensive, talent-heavy core, Cleveland appeared positioned to seize early control. Several rivals like the Boston Celtics and Indiana Pacers entered the season shorthanded. The door was open.

Instead, the Cavaliers have spent the first quarter of the season searching for consistency, and the frustration is starting to surface.

Early Warning Signs After Warriors Loss

GettyCLEVELAND, OHIO – DECEMBER 06: Darius Garland #10 of the Cleveland Cavaliers drives to the basket between Will Richard #3 and Trayce Jackson-Davis #32 of the Golden State Warriors during the first half at Rocket Arena on December 06, 2025 in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)

That tension became clear after Cleveland’s 99-94 loss to the Golden State Warriors. The defeat exposed familiar issues with effort, cohesion, and late-game execution. Following the game, guard Darius Garland offered a blunt assessment that focused less on tactics and more on mindset.

“We’ve all gotta get on the same page,” Garland said. “Everybody has to have the same goal, everybody has to have the same mindset.”

The message was direct. Cleveland’s struggles are not rooted in a lack of talent. They stem from urgency and alignment. The Cavaliers have yet to consistently impose their will, even against teams willing to challenge their physicality and focus.

Underwhelming Effort from an Overly Talented Roster

GettyCLEVELAND, OHIO – MAY 13: Darius Garland #10 and Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Cleveland Cavaliers react against the Indiana Pacers during the fourth quarter in Game Five of the Eastern Conference Second Round NBA Playoffs at Rocket Arena on May 13, 2025 in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)

Garland expanded on that theme by making it clear that matching opponents’ energy is no longer enough for a team with championship aspirations.

“We all have to play harder. The league is playing harder,” Garland said. “We can’t just match everybody’s energy; we have to be above it, especially with the talent that we have.”

His words highlighted a growing reality. Cleveland’s reputation no longer dictates games. Opponents arrive ready to test a roster built around star power and financial investment. Without consistent effort, the Cavaliers have struggled to separate themselves.

That inconsistency shows up in the numbers. Cleveland sits at 14–11 and remains stuck in the league’s statistical middle class. The Cavaliers rank ninth in scoring and 12th in points allowed. They sit between eighth and 11th in offensive, defensive, and net rating. Those marks signal competence, not dominance.

For a team built to win now, that distinction matters. Donovan Mitchell continues to perform at an All-NBA level, but the supporting production has fluctuated from night to night. Cleveland has yet to deliver sustained, complete performances.

Cavaliers Not Meeting Preseason Expectations

GettyBOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS – MAY 09: Darius Garland #10 of the Cleveland Cavaliers reacts during the third quarter against the Boston Celtics in Game Two of the Eastern Conference Second Round Playoffs at TD Garden on May 09, 2024 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)

Around the league, the uneven start has not gone unnoticed. Bleacher Report’s Greg Swartz graded Cleveland a C-minus for its first-quarter performance. He pointed to inconsistent play from several key starters.

“Donovan Mitchell has been spectacular, although Evan Mobley has shown zero growth offensively,” Swartz wrote. He also raised concerns about Garland’s early-season form, noting that “Darius Garland looks like a shell of himself coming off toe surgery.” Swartz added that Cleveland still awaits the season debut of Max Strus.

The context sharpens the criticism. Cleveland operates as the NBA’s most expensive roster and the league’s only team above the second apron. That reality invites scrutiny when results fall short.

“For the NBA’s most expensive team and the only one above the second apron, it’s been a disappointing start,” Swartz added, citing fluctuating effort levels.

Despite the criticism, Cleveland still projects as a legitimate Eastern Conference contender. Improved health should help. Talent remains abundant. Still, patience has limits for a roster built with immediate championship ambitions. Another early playoff exit would force serious questions about whether this core can deliver a deep postseason run.

That pressure makes the upcoming stretch critical. Cleveland returns to action Friday night on the road against the Washington Wizards, beginning a five-game run against teams below .500. After the accountability measures and hard truths, this stretch offers a clear chance to prove the message has landed and that higher standards are already translating into results on the court.

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