The Cavaliers are sticking with Kenny Atkinson.
Despite an ugly sweep at the hands of the Knicks in the Eastern Conference Finals, the franchise is bringing their head coach back next season, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania.
Atkinson, who has been the head coach in Cleveland for the last two seasons, guided the Cavaliers back to the conference finals this year before their postseason run came to a screeching halt against the NBA Finals-bound Knicks.
A year ago, Cleveland went a franchise-best 64-18 during the regular season record and earned the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference, helping Atkinson with the NBA Coach of the Year award in his first year at the helm.
Their playoff run would be cut short after falling to the eventual East champion Pacers during the semifinal round.
Cleveland took a step back record-wise during the regular season, but entered the postseason with championship ambitions after a blockbuster trade for James Harden before the trade deadline that sent young point guard Darius Garland and a 2026 second-round pick to the Clippers.
A few bizarre incidents during the sweep at the hands of the Knicks had some assuming Atkinson would be on his way out.
In Game 1, Atkinson called just one timeout while the Knicks went on a 30-8 run in the final quarter to steal the victory in the series opener.
He later explained to reporters that he likes to “hold my timeouts.”
After his team went down 3-0 in the series, Atkinson claimed that the Cavs were “analytically” winning the series.
“I think analytically, we’ve won two out of three in the expected score,” Atkinson said.
“I don’t know if you guys follow that, the expected score. And I know you’re looking confused.”
