Kenny Atkinson named NBA Coach of the Year

Cleveland Cavaliers’ Head Coach Kenny Atkinson has been named the 2024–25 NBA Coach of the Year, following an extraordinary debut season that saw the Cavs reach new heights across the board. Atkinson becomes only the third coach in Cavaliers franchise history to earn the honor — joining legends Bill Fitch (1975–76) and Mike Brown (2008–09) — and the 19th coach in NBA history to win the award in his first season with a new team.

In his first year at the helm, Atkinson led Cleveland to a 64-18 regular-season record, the second-highest win total in franchise history. The Cavaliers also set a new team benchmark for most road wins (30) in a single season.

Under his leadership:

• Central Division Champions (first time since 2017–18)
• No. 1 Seed in the Eastern Conference (fourth time in franchise history)
• 15-0 Start to the Season – only the fourth team in NBA history to do so
• 16-Game Win Streak (Feb 5 – Mar 14) — longest in the NBA this season

Cleveland led the NBA in several offensive categories, highlighting Atkinson’s balanced, high-powered system:

• Points Per Game: 121.9 (1st)
• Offensive Rating: 121.0 (1st)
• Three-Point Percentage: .383 (2nd)
• Field Goal Percentage: .491 (2nd)
• Point Differential: +9.5 (2nd)

The defense also impressed:

• Opponent FG%: .454 (3rd)
• Defensive Rating: 111.8 (8th)

Franchise Records Shattered in 2024–25

Atkinson’s Cavs rewrote the record books:

• Most Three-Pointers Made: 1,303
• Most 130+ Point Games: 20
• Most 140+ Point Games: 4
• Most 20+ Point Wins: 18
• Tied Record for Double-Digit Wins: 41 (equaling 2008–09)

Perhaps most impressively, Cleveland improved by 16 wins compared to their 48-34 record in 2023–24, tying for the second-largest win increase in NBA history for a team that had already won 48+ games the previous year.

Atkinson and his staff were honored with coaching duties at the 2025 NBA All-Star Game in San Francisco, thanks to the Cavs holding the best East record at midseason.

Related News: Gregg Popovich retires as Spurs Head Coach: NBA Legend ends Historic 29-Year Tenure with 5 Titles

Cleveland was the only team in the NBA to send three All-Stars this season:

• Donovan Mitchell
• Darius Garland
• Evan Mobley

This marks just the fourth time in Cavaliers history a head coach led the All-Star team (joining Lenny Wilkens, Mike Brown, and Tyronn Lue).

Previously known for developing young talent during his Brooklyn Nets tenure, Kenny Atkinson’s impact in Cleveland was immediate and undeniable. His offensive system maximized spacing and movement while allowing stars like Mitchell and Mobley to thrive.

His tenure with the Cavaliers has been marked by a clear improvement in offensive efficiency, team cohesion, and a return to contention in the Eastern Conference. The Cavaliers now enter the playoffs as a top seed, with renewed ambition under their award-winning coach.

SportsLigue