NBA Notes: Cavs, Kenny Atkinson, Raptors, Scottie Barnes, Suns

November 3, 2026

Cavaliers

Kenny Atkinson isn’t on the hot seat in my view. Seven games into a season, with the Cavaliers at 4-3, that would be getting ahead of things.

But asking why the same problems keep showing up? That’s fair.

Zach Weiss of Cavs On SI raises that question, pointing to Atkinson’s rotations, closing lineups and the gap between identifying problems and correcting them.

Weiss specifically questioned the four-guard look late in Monday’s loss to the Thunder, with Jarrett Allen and Mario Hezonja sitting despite productive stretches.

Atkinson himself acknowledged afterward that he used some lineups he wasn’t thrilled with. Experimenting is part of November. Eventually, though, those experiments need to produce combinations the Cavs can trust.

The bigger concern is the familiar stuff. The Cavs missed 10 free throws and surrendered 15 offensive rebounds in a five-point loss. Those aren’t all coaching failures. Players have to make free throws and finish defensive possessions, too.

Still, Atkinson is responsible for getting the group to consistently do those things. That doesn’t make his job endangered today. It does make Weiss’ broader criticism worth discussing, especially if we’re having the same conversation a couple of months from now.

Raptors

The Raptors have found ways to generate offense without consistently making outside shots. That’s encouraging, though it’s also asking a lot of their defense and offensive rebounding.

As Ethen Hutton of Raptors On SI details, Toronto is forcing a league-leading 20.9 turnovers per game and leads the NBA in offensive rebounds. Those extra possessions have helped produce a 4-3 start despite 31.5% shooting from deep.

Scottie Barnes has carried more responsibility with Kawhi Leonard sidelined, averaging 24.4 points, while RJ Barrett has supplied steady scoring support.

But winning the possession battle can only cover so much. When opponents protect the ball and keep the Raptors off the glass, Toronto needs another reliable way to score. Better perimeter shooting would make life considerably easier for Barnes.

Suns

The Suns had a 17-point lead against the Warriors and still left with their third straight loss. Seven fourth-quarter turnovers will do that.

“We have some spots,” Devin Booker said, via The Arizona Republic’s Duane Rankin, as relayed by Brendan Mau of Suns On SI. “We’ve been saying it the past few games, we just have to put 48 minutes together.”

At 1-4, Phoenix also needs more from its centers while Mark Williams is out. Khaman Maluach and Oso Ighodaro combined for four rebounds, while Warriors reserve Charles Bassey supplied 19 points and eight boards.

Booker can help carry the scoring. Asking him to overcome shaky interior play and an offense that stalls late is a much bigger assignment.