The Cleveland Cavaliers now face elimination after Sunday’s Game 4 collapse against the Indiana Pacers.
What could have been a series-tying victory instead became a 20-point defeat, leaving them one loss away from an early playoff exit.
Amid this dire situation, Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert offered a reminder that the franchise has navigated similar waters before.
And that too while making a striking prediction about the series outcome.
“Hey Cavs fans… yes it was an ugly one, but we’ve been here before. Time to get 3 in a row, 2 of them coming at home. Let’s start with Game 5 on Tuesday. #Believeland,” Gilbert wrote.
Cavs governor Dan Gilbert believes his team will make another 3-1 comeback like the 2016 finals 😮
Can Cleveland do it again?! 🤔
(via @cavsdan) pic.twitter.com/2rP7mNGNF9
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) May 12, 2025
Hey @cavs fans… yes it was an ugly one, but we’ve been here before. Time to get 3 in a row, 2 of them coming at home. Let’s start with Game 5 on Tuesday. #Believeland
— Dan Gilbert (@cavsdan) May 12, 2025
Though Gilbert left his reference unspecified, he almost certainly alluded to the 2016 NBA Finals when Cleveland rallied from a 3-1 deficit to capture the championship in seven games.
That Cavaliers squad remains the only team in NBA history to overcome such odds in the Finals.
LeBron James orchestrated that historic comeback with a performance for the ages, posting averages of 29.7 points, 11.3 rebounds, 8.9 assists, 2.6 steals, and 2.3 blocks per game.
Alongside Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love, James helped the Cavaliers achieve what many thought impossible.
The current Cleveland roster features a promising “core four” but lacks the playoff experience of that championship team.
None of the current stars have reached even the conference finals, and injury concerns have further complicated their postseason journey.
The question remains whether this squad can channel the resilience Gilbert referenced and stage their own remarkable comeback when facing elimination on Tuesday.
NEXT: Cavs Star Will Be Gametime Decision For Game 5