Cavs Owner Dan Gilbert Gives Fans Hope After Trailing 0-2 to Knicks: “We Have Done This Twice Already”
Dan Gilbert delivered strong support for the Cleveland Cavaliers after going 2-0 down in the ECF.
Dan Gilbert (Image credits - Firstsportz)
- Cleveland Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert expressed optimism for the team's chances despite trailing 2-0 in the Eastern Conference Finals against the New York Knicks.
- Gilbert reminded fans that the Cavs have successfully come back from similar deficits in the past.
- The Cavaliers traded for James Harden this season, but doubts remain about his playoff performance and impact on the team's success.
Things are not looking good for the Cleveland Cavaliers at the moment, and owner Dan Gilbert knows it. The Cavs find themselves 2-0 down against the New York Knicks in the Eastern Conference Finals.
After a neck-to-neck first quarter, the Cavs were completely overpowered by the Knicks for the remainder of the game. In the end, they succumbed to a 109-93 defeat at Madison Square Garden on Thursday night. The loss has put the Cavs in a tough spot as they find themselves 2-0 down in the series.
After the loss, Gilbert took to social media and assured Cavs fans that they could still pull it off and go through.
Ok cavs fans, feel familiar? Clearly it’s not ideal, but we have done this twice already. We go home, win 2, and then it’s a 3-game series and we win it in 6 or 7. Keep believing. Let Em **C**** Know!
Dan Gilbert on X
Ok @cavs fans, feel familiar? Clearly it’s not ideal, but we have done this twice already. We go home, win 2, and then it’s a 3-game series and we win it in 6 or 7. Keep believing. Let Em **C**** Know!
— Dan Gilbert (@cavsdan) May 22, 2026
Dan Gilbert bought the Cavs back in 2005. Under his ownership, they won their first and only championship in 2016. However, after LeBron James left the club in 2018, the Cavs had never made it past the second round.
After their second-round exit last year, Gilbert vowed to the fans that he would bring the franchise back to playoff relevance. This year, the Cavs made a big move in trading for James Harden at the trade deadline. The move showed that the Cavs believe that their championship window is now.
The Cavs are currently 2-0 down to the Knicks, but they will take inspiration from their previous round against the Detroit Pistons when they found themselves in the same position. With the series now moving to Cleveland, the Cavs will need to be at their best in Games 3 and 4.
Fans react to Dan Gilbert’s impassioned statement on social media
While Dan Gilbert remains optimistic about his team’s chances, it will be anything but easy. The win in Game 2 extended the Knicks’ winning streak to nine games. But Gilbert has the utmost faith in his team.
Fans were left buzzing across social media after Gilbert’s statement on X.
— Christian Cabot (@CabotChristian) May 22, 2026
Series ain't over til they lose both home games so til then let's go cavs they been here before nuthin new
— steve shabazz (@timmy112) May 22, 2026
Pffffftttttt. You guys lost the series w the game one choke. Knicks all day!!!
— vermadnix22 (@vermadnix22) May 22, 2026
Mr. Gilbert. I love you man. You are the best owner in the history of this city. You have built this team over and over again. These guys don’t look ready between the ears, look gassed, Lethargic. The effort and execution on defense has to improve. Turnovers are crushing us
— B-easy-man (@calmcollected83) May 22, 2026
Fire your coach. The more talented team in all 3 of these series. No clue on rotations, playing to your strengths or any in game adjustments.
— Larry Babics (@LarryBabics) May 22, 2026
pls don’t let anyone know it’s embarrassing at this point
— rashod (@shoddyslips) May 22, 2026
45 ain’t worth extending. If they make it to the finals great but it’s best to make some major moves this offseason bc this ain’t it
— Adam Keyse (@AEKeyse) May 22, 2026
Dan you can’t expect to win by not making any adjustments and leaving wide open threes to good players. What are we doing on Defense? Charles Barkley just
— Ryan Wells (@rygonn123) May 22, 2026
Made a great point, why is Mobley not getting any shots in the second half? Our Bigs are the key to this series.
There is still a lot to play for in this series. However, some Cavs fans believe that they are being outcoached, and the meltdown in Game 1 was a huge disappointment.
Skip Bayless calls out the Cavs for acquiring James Harden
The Cavs traded for James Harden this year to help them get over the hump in the playoffs. The 36-year-old may not be the player he once was, but he was having a strong season with the Los Angeles Clippers before his trade.
However, there have been doubts about whether Harden is the right man to help the Cavs. The former MVP will go down as one of the greatest offensive players the game has ever seen, but he is also well known for having several meltdowns in the playoffs throughout his career.

Sports analyst Skip Bayless questioned the Cavs’ move for Harden after their recent loss to the Knicks.
I’m sorry, yes he won MVP in his time his perimeter skills were one of one. But he has consistently displayed in his biggest moments in playoff games, I’m sorry I’m just going to say it he has loser intangibles, that’s what he has.
Skip Bayless on Gil’s Arena
Skip Bayless says this is why you don’t trade for James Harden:
— NBA Courtside (@NBA__Courtside) May 20, 2026
“I’m sorry, yes he won MVP in his time his perimeter skills were one of one. But he has consistently displayed in his biggest moments in playoff games, I’m sorry I’m just going to say it he has loser intangibles,… pic.twitter.com/1Xcrj6RWpQ
Harden has not had the best of playoffs so far. He has had his struggles and was under the scanner for being targeted in defense by the Knicks in the fourth quarter and overtime in Game 1. The Cavs will need a lot more from their star player if they have any chance of beating the Knicks.
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