League sources said Bickerstaff was nearly fired around Thanksgiving after the team’s poor start. He also was admonished by team president Koby Altman in front of his entire coaching staff for playing Mitchell too many minutes in a December win over the Houston Rockets in overtime while both Darius Garland and Evan Mobley were out.
Donovan Mitchell among Cavs ruled out for Game 5 vs. Celtics - ESPN