As the 2025-2026 NBA season looms, the Eastern Conference is brimming with anticipation, heartbreak, and high expectations. The Cleveland Cavaliers, fresh off a dominant 64-18 campaign that ended in playoff disappointment, are retooling for another shot at glory. Meanwhile, the Indiana Pacers, last season’s Cinderella story, are navigating a future clouded by both promise and pain after their stirring run to the NBA Finals was halted by a devastating injury to their All-NBA guard, Tyrese Haliburton.
Let’s start with Cleveland. The Cavaliers’ 2024-2025 season was a tale of regular-season excellence and postseason frustration. Despite earning the top seed in the East, the Cavs bowed out in the conference semifinals, falling in five games to the Indiana Pacers. The image of Donovan Mitchell and Darius Garland embracing after a 114-105 Game 5 defeat on their home floor still lingers in the minds of Cleveland fans. Yet, there’s an unmistakable sense of unfinished business in the air.
Head coach Kenny Atkinson, entering his second season at the Cavaliers’ helm and sixth overall as an NBA head coach, is determined to push his squad beyond last year’s barrier. With a career record of 182-208, Atkinson has stressed the importance of growth and adaptation throughout the 82-game grind, not just peaking for the playoffs. "We want to be better at every step, not just when April comes around," he’s emphasized in team meetings, according to team insiders.
The Cavaliers’ roster has seen notable changes over the offseason. Gone are guards Javonte Green and Ty Jerome, along with forwards Chuma Okeke and Isaac Okoro. In their place, Cleveland has added key pieces: guard Lonzo Ball, center Thomas Bryant, and forward Larry Nance Jr. These acquisitions are expected to bolster a squad already brimming with talent. Ball, in particular, is drawing attention. For the first time in years, he’s been able to focus on basketball and conditioning instead of rehabbing his troublesome knee. Atkinson is optimistic about Ball’s impact, especially on the defensive end and in the backcourt. "Lonzo’s approach is exactly what we need," Atkinson noted, highlighting Ball’s mental toughness and versatility.
Of course, the Cavaliers’ hopes rest heavily on Donovan Mitchell. The dynamic guard has carried the scoring load, averaging at least 24 points per game for six consecutive seasons. But the postseason wall remains. Mitchell, now in his ninth NBA campaign, is still seeking his first trip beyond the second round—a fact that’s become a motivational chip on his shoulder. With a core that includes Defensive Player of the Year Evan Mobley, the ever-reliable Jarrett Allen, and the playmaking Garland, Cleveland is again among the favorites to win the East. BetMGM has pegged their championship odds at 7.5-1, a testament to the league’s respect for their potential.
Yet, the road ahead isn’t without bumps. Injuries have already cast a shadow over the start of the season. Garland (toe) and Max Strus (foot) are both expected to miss at least the first month following offseason surgeries. Last year, the Cavaliers were largely fortunate in avoiding injuries during the regular season, but the postseason told a different story. Mitchell (calf), Garland, Mobley (ankle), and newcomer De’Andre Hunter (thumb) all dealt with ailments late. The hope is that improved depth—thanks to Bryant’s presence behind Allen and the arrival of Ball—will help weather any early storms.
Mobley, for his part, is coming off a breakout year. Not only did he anchor Cleveland’s defense, earning NBA Defensive Player of the Year honors, but he also posted career highs in scoring (18.5 points per game) and assists (3.2). His expanding perimeter game and ability to attack the lane have elevated the Cavaliers’ offensive ceiling. Meanwhile, Allen’s ironman streak—he played all 82 games last season—gives Cleveland a reliable anchor in the paint.
But while Cleveland eyes a fresh start, Indiana is still coming to terms with what might have been. The Pacers’ magical postseason run saw them topple Milwaukee, stun the top-seeded Cavaliers, and outlast the New York Knicks to reach the NBA Finals for the first time in over two decades. The city was electric; the narrative was irresistible. And then, in the most crushing of twists, it all came undone.
Game 7 of the NBA Finals against the Oklahoma City Thunder was supposed to be the Pacers’ crowning moment. Tyrese Haliburton, the team’s engine, came out firing—nine points in seven minutes—before disaster struck. Midway through the first quarter, Haliburton’s Achilles gave out. The Pacers managed to eke out a one-point lead at halftime but, without their star, couldn’t keep pace with the Thunder’s firepower, eventually losing by double digits. The loss stung, but it was the sight of Haliburton, immobilized and devastated, that truly broke Indiana’s heart.
Haliburton’s journey since has been marked by both physical and emotional recovery. In a recent interview from Indianapolis, he reflected, “You try to move on the best you can. But it hasn’t been easy.” The injury capped a season in which Haliburton battled not just opponents, but his own mental health. Social media criticism after a limited role with Team USA, nagging injuries, and a loss of joy for the game left him in a "dark place." Therapy and support from Pacers staff, including director of sport psychology Dr. Jaimie Rubin and coach Rick Carlisle, proved invaluable. “I’m really thankful for the people around me, my family, my loved ones, sports therapists, Coach Carlisle and the staff, teammates. I got through that and I’m really thankful for it and proud of myself for getting through that and ultimately having the year I had,” Haliburton shared.
And what a year it was. After the All-Star break, Haliburton averaged 20.6 points per game and shot a blistering 43.9% from three. He silenced doubters—The Athletic had polled NBA players who named him the league’s most overrated—by delivering a postseason for the ages, including four game-winning shots and a memorable game-tying effort reminiscent of Reggie Miller’s heroics. But the Game 7 injury left a scar. “I think the grief for me is Game 7,” Haliburton admitted. “That was what I grieved more than anything, that game, that moment, and really that series.”
Despite the setback, Haliburton is optimistic about his recovery. He’s running, jumping, and in regular contact with Jayson Tatum, who suffered a similar injury six weeks earlier. “I have the utmost faith that I’m going to come back and be better and be able to get right back and do the same things I was doing before the injury. I have no doubt about that,” he said. The process is painstaking, but Haliburton’s resolve is clear. He’s even found solace in documenting his journey for the Netflix series, Starting 5, hoping one day his kids and fans can relive the highs and lows of his remarkable season.
As the new NBA season tips off—Cleveland opens October 22 at Madison Square Garden—the Cavaliers are eager to erase last year’s disappointment, while the Pacers await Haliburton’s return and another shot at the mountaintop. The Eastern Conference may have changed, but the hunger for redemption and glory is stronger than ever.
