In his inaugural season with the Cleveland Cavaliers, Head Coach Kenny Atkinson has been honored with the prestigious 2025 Michael H. Goldberg NBCA Coach of the Year Award, as announced by the National Basketball Coaches Association. This accolade, determined by votes from all 30 NBA head coaches, recognizes Atkinson’s exceptional leadership and the Cavaliers’ remarkable transformation under his guidance.
A Season of Milestones
Atkinson’s impact was immediate and profound. The Cavaliers achieved a 64–18 record, marking their first 60+ win season since 2009–10 and the best in franchise history without LeBron James on the roster. This 16-game improvement from the previous season secured them the top seed in the Eastern Conference and the Central Division title—their first division crown since 2018 and the first without James since 1976.
Offensive Excellence
Cleveland’s offense flourished under Atkinson, leading the NBA with an offensive rating of 121.0. They also topped the league in points per game (121.9), effective field goal percentage (57.8%), and true shooting percentage (60.7%). The Cavaliers were the only team to rank in the top two for both field goal and three-point percentages, showcasing a balanced and efficient offensive strategy.
Record-Breaking Streaks
The Cavaliers began the season with a 15-game winning streak, tying the franchise record and setting a new NBA record for the longest winning streak to start a season by a head coach in his first year with a new team. They later extended this to a 16-game streak, breaking the franchise record. Remarkably, Cleveland had three separate winning streaks of at least 12 games during the season, a feat achieved by only one other team in NBA history—the 2006–07 Dallas Mavericks.
Peer Recognition
The NBCA Coach of the Year Award is unique in that it reflects the respect and admiration of fellow coaches. Atkinson’s peers recognized his innovative approach and ability to elevate team performance. Other coaches receiving votes included J.B. Bickerstaff (Detroit Pistons), Mark Daigneault (Oklahoma City Thunder), Michael Malone (Denver Nuggets), and Ime Udoka (Houston Rockets).
As the Cavaliers enter the playoffs as the Eastern Conference’s top seed, Atkinson’s leadership and the team’s cohesive performance position them as strong contenders for the championship
