Cleveland Cavaliers guard Darius Garland (10) shoots against Boston Celtics center Al Horford (42) in the second half of Game 5 of an NBA second-round playoff series on Wednesday, May 15, 2024, in Boston. The Celtics have progressed to the Eastern Conference Finals. (AP Photos/Charles Krupa)

BOSTON (AP)— Cleveland Cavaliers coach J.B. Bickerstaff wants to return for another season. After all, he’s already gone through the difficult part.

“This has been a difficult year for us, for a bunch of different reasons,” Bickerstaff said after the Cavaliers fell to Boston 113-98 in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference semifinals on Wednesday night.

“They never found the time to fold on each other. All they did was find ways to compete,” he said. “Somehow, we were able to find a home-court spot going into the playoffs. A lot of people can’t say that they were able to accomplish that.”

Despite being without All-Star Donovan Mitchell and center Jarrett Allen, the Cavaliers were no match for top-seeded Boston, which advanced to the Eastern Conference finals for the third year in a row and sixth time in eight seasons.

Boston’s Jayson Tatum finished with 25 points, 10 rebounds, and nine assists, while Al Horford contributed 22 points and 15 rebounds. Evan Mobley, who started at center in place of Allen, matched his season best of 33 points for the Cavaliers.

“We have to give Cleveland credit,” Horford said. “They were depleted and they didn’t quit. They pushed us to the brink.”

Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert also praised the team in a social media post.

“Cleveland, it’s heartbreaking, but I am proud of the fight and the progress of this team. Thanks to all cavs fans and supporters who were there all season for us. The future is bright in The Land!.”

Now, the Cavaliers head into an offseason that could build on what they’ve accomplished — or involve a more extensive overhaul.

“Everything went wrong that could have went wrong,” said Cavs big man Marcus Morris Sr., who scored 25 points in over 33 minutes — both season highs and his most in a playoff game since 2021. “The last two games, we fought. Obviously, they’ve got great players over there, that put them in this position.”

After being knocked out in the first round by the Knicks last postseason and a sluggish start this season (the Cavs were 18-15 on New Year’s Day), Bickerstaff had to deal with concerns about his job security. However, Cleveland went on a 17-game winning streak and advanced to the playoffs as the No. 4 seed.

The Cavs’ seven-game triumph over the Orlando Magic was their first postseason series win since LeBron James left for the second time in 2018.

“I considered this season an improvement. To win a round in the playoffs isn’t easy,” Bickerstaff said. “Every single year, we’ve continued to improve: play-in, playoffs, win a round. … This is definitely a place I want to be.”

 

When asked if he intended to return next year, Bickerstaff replied, “No one has told me I won’t.” So I will continue to turn up until they tell me not to.”

Bickerstaff isn’t the only major question for the Cavs.

Mitchell, who averaged just under 30 points in Cleveland’s first ten postseason games this season, has missed the last two due to a strained left calf. He is eligible to sign a contract extension this summer, but has not indicated that he will.

Mitchell attended the game in street clothes on Wednesday night, but did not interact with reporters. Allen missed the last eight games, while Caris LeVert — who scored 21 points in Game 2, the Cavs’ sole victory — was also out on Wednesday night.

 

“I would love to see what we look like when we’re whole for an entire season, what pressure we can put on the league from that standpoint,” Bickerstaff said.

“You would love to be that way. The teams that typically are healthy are the teams that end up having the most success, especially in the postseason. So you think about it, obviously, but, you know, I can’t take away from what guys that were able to go did.”