Kenny Atkinson is reveling in the success of his inaugural season as head coach of the Cleveland Cavaliers, and with good reason. The Cavaliers have made history by winning their first ten games of the season, all while scoring a minimum of 110 points in each contest. Their latest victory came against the Golden State Warriors, where they triumphed 136-117.
Atkinson expressed his amazement at the team’s performance, noting, “10-0 is something. It’s kind of a magic number, right?” He acknowledged his concerns about facing the Warriors, the reigning champions, but was impressed by how well the Cavaliers prepared and performed.
Darius Garland led the offensive charge with 27 points, closely followed by Evan Mobley, who contributed 23 points. The Cavaliers are now the first NBA team to achieve a 10-0 start since the 2015-16 Warriors and currently lead the league in scoring with an average of 124.5 points per game and a remarkable 52.7% shooting percentage.
While the roster largely remains unchanged from last season, when they averaged 112.6 points per game, the hiring of Atkinson has injected fresh energy and tactics into the team’s playstyle. Atkinson’s prior experience as an assistant coach with the Warriors has equipped him with the tools to create a high-scoring offense that suits the team’s talents.
The integration of players like Donovan Mitchell and the solid team chemistry are evident, as expressed by Ty Jerome, who had a standout game with 20 points against the Warriors. He emphasized the joy of playing together, highlighting the selflessness of stars like Mitchell and Garland that promotes a positive atmosphere on the court.
Despite the dominant start, players like Jarrett Allen recognize that there is still room for improvement. With the team committing 20 turnovers that allowed the Warriors to capitalize on 32 points, Allen expressed optimism, stating, “We know we can be better, and we’re not going to stop working until we get there.”
This impressive start not only showcases the Cavaliers’ potential but also hints at a promising season ahead as they strive to refine their game and reach new heights. The combination of talented players and strategic coaching gives fans hope for an exciting journey through this NBA season.