Following a historic 2024-25 NBA season, Cleveland Cavaliers head coach Kenny Atkinson has been named the 2025 NBA Coach of the Year.
After last season’s loss to the Boston Celtics in the Eastern Conference semifinals, Cleveland hired Atkinson to replace former coach J.B. Bickerstaff. The turn-around was drastic and the Cavaliers went from 48-34 last season to 64-18 this campaign, the second best record in franchise history.
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Oddly enough, Bickerstaff is now the head coach of the Detroit Pistons and finished in second place for the award this season. Houston Rockets head coach Ime Udoka finished in third place.
A global media panel of 100 voters selected the winner of the 2024-25 NBA Coach of the Year Award.
The complete voting results ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/Ic00MtHPzq
— NBA Communications (@NBAPR) May 5, 2025
RELATED: Evan Mobley Named 2025 Defensive Player Of The Year
“When this [job] came open … I was like ‘holy s—,’ whatever my presentation is it’s got to be the best thing I’ve ever done’,” Atkinson said recently of the head coaching opportunity. “This was like a must job.”
The entire Cavaliers roster seemingly took a leap in development this year with guidance from Atkinson. Three Cavs were named All-Stars in Donovan Mitchell, Darius Garland and Evan Mobley, with Mobley also taking home the 2025 DPOY trophy.
Strong bench pieces like Ty Jerome and De’Andre Hunter also had career seasons, resulting in one of the most coordinated teams in NBA history.
Atkinson is the third coach in Cavs history to take home the hardware, joining Bill Fitch in 1976 and Mike Brown in 2009.
The Cavaliers are currently trailing the Indiana Pacers 1-0 in the Eastern Conference semifinals.
James Parker is an NBA writer for Ball Exclusives, follow him on X @TheJames_Parker
