MIAMI — The scratch across Craig Porter Jr.’s left cheek made it seem like he had just been in a fight.
A fight no one anticipated going into Wednesday.
Except, of course, the 11 Cavaliers in uniform, the four in street clothes and every other member of the organization.
Beating the Miami Heat — undefeated at home going into the night, with one of the league’s most dynamic offenses, 48 hours removed from an emotional, confidence-boosting last-second overtime win, wearing their slick Miami Vice threads — was going to take a superhuman effort.
The Cavs got one. From an unexpected source.
Craig Porter Jr.
“It was a heroic performance,” Cavs coach Kenny Atkinson boasted following the 130-116 come-from-behind victory.
Cleveland was without five every-night rotation players — Donovan Mitchell (rest), Evan Mobley (rest), Darius Garland (toe), Jaylon Tyson (concussion) and Max Strus (foot surgery). It was forced to use an eighth different starting lineup in the first 12 games — Lonzo Ball, Sam Merrill, De’Andre Hunter, Dean Wade and Jarrett Allen. The team’s top two scorers — Mitchell and Mobley — dressed like they were headed to a South Beach club afterward.
The chances of leaving Miami with a series split always seemed bleak. Even more so as the game progressed.
The Cavs didn’t lead at any point in the first three quarters. They were behind by double digits multiple times. Trailed 92-78 with 3:57 remaining in the third. And then depleted Cleveland outscored the Heat 52-24 the rest of the way.
“I played 11 guys and 11 guys contributed,” Atkinson said. “That’s what a team’s about.”
He’s right. Every player had a role in the victory. Even the unheralded ones. Thomas Bryant’s infectious energy. Nae’Qwan Tomlin’s tenacity on the boards. Luke Travers’ fourth-quarter floater that gave the Cavaliers their first lead of the night — one they didn’t relinquish. Tyrese Proctor’s shot-making.
It goes on and on.
But Wednesday night belonged to Porter, the guy singled out by Atkinson in the locker room after the game, the guy whose floppy hair was soaked from the celebratory water bottle dumping, the guy who has learned patience throughout a meandering basketball journey.
This was his moment — one months in the making.
“I feel like my whole career has been built on being ready for that moment and I take pride in it,” Porter said. “We knew we were down guys and we didn’t take this any different than any normal game. I feel like it just gives us all a lot of confidence.”
Following the 2024-25 campaign, his second year in the NBA, the little-used Porter took a harsh look in the mirror. He had been passed on the depth chart by now-departed Ty Jerome and played fewer minutes than his rookie season. There were even internal questions about Porter’s drive, fire and conditioning.
The Cavs wanted more from him. They needed more.
So, Atkinson issued a challenge.
“Me and him had some tough conversations this summer. One on one. Man to man. Coach to player,” Atkinson said Wednesday night. “I told him the things we needed, and he agreed. We just kind of had a pact.”
Get to the gym earlier. Work harder. Be more assertive. Get into better shape. Take the game more seriously.
Those were some of Atkinson’s demands.
“I wasn’t satisfied with myself how we developed him last year,” Atkinson admitted. “I felt like I didn’t do a good job. This summer I said, ‘Man, we’ve gotta turn this, we’ve gotta have a different approach.’ The credit is all him. He put in the work. He sacrificed a lot. Just awesome to see him have a game like tonight.”
On Wednesday — after logging just nine total minutes in the previous two games and seemingly on the outs of the near-full-strength rotation — Porter finished with 19 points, nine assists, four rebounds, a career-high four blocks, three steals and 11 deflections in 32 game-changing minutes.
He is the first Cavalier ever with that stat line and just the second player off the bench in NBA history to hit those marks, joining Cliff Robinson in 1993.
“Craig was everywhere,” Allen said. “He did it all.”
“Craig was amazing,” Hunter added. “He made shots. He played defense. He was all over the court. He puts in the work. I see it every day in practice. I’m glad to see it in the game.”
It’s everything Porter and Atkinson talked about.
“I feel like it just allowed both of our personalities, which are complete opposites — I’m more laid back and he’s really aggressive — it just helped us understand each other a little more,” Porter said of those passionate chats. “It was about doing the little things that it takes to be successful. It was an adjustment for me. I had to make those extra efforts.
“I don’t think there’s another coach in the league that’s doing that with a young guy, especially a guy who may be the 10th, 11th man in the rotation. Him spending the summer and just working with me with the little details about the game of basketball and just understanding the professionalism you have to have, it’s just big. You can’t ask for any more than that. I don’t think there’s another guy that can say their coach did that for him this summer.”
The Cavs track everything. They have Key Performance Indicators. There are charts that measure body composition. Metrics that determine intensity. Unlike years past, Porter is near the top of all of them.
It showed Wednesday, playing more minutes than anyone on the roster, applying relentless defensive pressure that took Miami out of its usual fast-paced offensive rhythm, diving on the floor for loose balls, flying into the passing lanes and repeatedly attacking off the dribble at the other end.
“He did all the role player things,” Atkinson said. “He played defense, got blocks, got steals, deflections. That’s his role. I’m really happy for him because he’s put in a lot of work.”
When Jerome signed with Memphis as an unrestricted free agent, Porter started mentally preparing for an expanded role. In the days leading up to NBA Summer League, Porter spoke with maturity about recognizing what was at stake for him this coming season. He talked about taking a different, more cutthroat approach — no longer treating basketball like a fun sport but a way of life, needing to take someone else’s job to stay in the league. He even said he wanted to be that guy, one day viewed in the same light as Garland — a magnetic winner who teammates rally around in the biggest moments.
On Wednesday night in Miami, Porter was that guy.
If you or a loved one has questions and needs to talk to a professional about gambling, call the Ohio Problem Gambling Helpline at 1-800-589-9966 or the National Council on Program Gambling Helpline (NCPG) at 1-800-522-4700 or visit 1800gambler.net for more information. 21+ and present in Ohio. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-Gambler.
If you purchase a product or register for an account through a link on our site, we may receive compensation. By using this site, you consent to our User Agreement and agree that your clicks, interactions, and personal information may be collected, recorded, and/or stored by us and social media and other third-party partners in accordance with our Privacy Policy.