Cavaliers’ Kenny Atkinson wins NBA Coach of the Year

After leading his team to the best record in the Eastern Conference this season, Cleveland Cavaliers head coach Kenny Atkinson has added some hardware to his trophy case. 

Atkinson, 57, was named NBA Coach of the Year on Monday, the league announced. 

J.B. Bickerstaff of the Detroit Pistons and Ime Udoka of the Houston Rockets were the other two finalists for the award. 

Atkinson is in his first season with the Cavaliers and led the team to a 64-18 regular-season record, including a perfect 15-0 start to the season. 

This is Atkinson’s second stint as an NBA head coach. He previously coached the Brooklyn Nets for four seasons from 2016-20. 

The Cavaliers advanced to Round 2 after sweeping the Miami Heat in Round 1, but they are currently down 1-0 in their second-round series against the Indiana Pacers after losing Game 1 on Sunday. 

More to come.