CLEVELAND — The Cleveland Cavaliers are sticking with coach Kenny Atkinson, even after a disappointing sweep by the New York Knicks. Atkinson led the team to its first Eastern Conference finals since 2018, marking a significant milestone for the franchise.
Despite the recent struggles, team officials have decided against making major changes. They plan to conduct a thorough review of their impressive but costly roster. Atkinson, who has been with the Cavs for two seasons, has three years left on his contract. He won 116 regular-season games and earned Coach of the Year honors in 2025. Under his leadership, Evan Mobley had a standout season last year. However, the playoffs have been tough, with a 13-14 record.
Cleveland faced some ups and downs in the playoffs. They needed two Game 7 victories to reach the conference finals. After a shaky start, they managed to beat a weakened Toronto Raptors team and narrowly escaped a series against the Detroit Pistons. They built a 22-point lead in Game 1 against the Knicks but fell apart in the end.
Atkinson faced criticism for his decisions during crucial moments. He was questioned for his timeout management and leaving key players on the bench when leads were to be protected. After one painful loss, he remarked, “Analytically, we’ve won two out of three,” an observation that many found absurd given how lopsided the series had become.
Cavs owner Dan Gilbert expressed concern over the team’s progress but maintained that fans should trust the organization to build on this year’s achievements. Atkinson and his players attributed some of their playoff struggles to fatigue, especially after losing two key Game 6s earlier in the playoffs.
Atkinson showed confidence in his team’s growth, stating he feels proud of their journey. The previous season, they won 64 games and were first in the East but faced an early exit against the Indiana Pacers. This led Atkinson to review every detail of the series closely.
The Cavaliers started the current season sluggishly but improved in January. A key trade happened on February 3, when they moved Darius Garland for James Harden. Harden praised Atkinson’s ability to connect with players. Donovan Mitchell also defended Atkinson, finding the criticisms “hilarious” and emphasizing the significance of reaching the conference finals together.
This season, the Cavs fielded the priciest roster in NBA history, totaling $229 million before taxes. They’ll need to make important decisions on free agents like Dean Wade and whether to extend contracts for superstars Harden and Mitchell. With the team’s future in mind, Cleveland is at a crossroads, looking to build on their recent successes while addressing the challenges ahead.
For more insights on sports management and coaching strategies, you can refer to ESPN’s expert analysis.
Source link
Cleveland Cavaliers, NBA
