Cleveland Cavs head coach Kenny Atkinson was brutally honest following a 136-116 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder. Before All-Star Donovan Mitchell took the blame for Thursday’s loss, Atkinson praised the Thunder for their dominating approach that led to a 42-point lead amid a 44-point third quarter from Oklahoma City.
After the loss, Atkinson discussed the Thunder’s dominance throughout the night, per ESPN’s Tim MacMahon.
“They imposed their will in every sense,” Atkinson said. “We knew it was coming. We knew their force was coming. That’s their identity. They imposed their identity. It was an avalanche, and we never responded.”
The Cavs dropped to 34-6, tying the Thunder for the best record in the NBA. The two best teams in the association squared off for the second time in eight days. However, it didn’t play out like the Cavs’ 129-122 win against the Thunder last week. This was a blowout win for Oklahoma City from the opening frame to the final buzzer.
“It felt like seven pit bulls out there. Not five,” Atkinson said. “They were scratching, reaching — in a good sense. Their speed and athleticism, they kind of toppled us over. It was that simple. That’s their calling card. They’ve done it to a lot of teams. They dominated in every aspect.”
The Thunder coerced the Cavs into committing 21 turnovers, while Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 26 of his 40 points in the first half, leading the team to a 30-2 run.
“They just set the tone,” Mitchell said. “We didn’t come ready to play. Put this one on me. As a leader, you’ve got to set the tone. That’s twice now against this team that I haven’t been that. When your leader’s not doing it, it trickles down.”
Darius Garland’s 20 points led the Cavs in their blowout loss. Jarrett Allen finished with 13 points and seven rebounds, and Ty Jerome added a dozen points off the bench for Cavs coach Kenny Atkinson.
Shaquille O’Neal predicts Cavs vs Thunder in the NBA Finals
Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images
NBA analyst Shaquille O’Neal predicts a Cavs versus Thunder NBA Finals. Did fans just watch a preview of what’s to come in June?
“OKC and Cleveland in the Finals. That’s what I know will happen for a fact,” O’Neal said.
Nearly halfway through the 2024-25 campaign, O’Neals says the Cavs and Thunder are the best teams from their respective conferences.
“I think [the Cavs are] the best team in the East,” O’Neal said. “…I do. The way that this Donovan [Mitchell] kid is playing – I’ve been hard on [him] the last 3 years. Hard to the point to where people think I don’t like him.”
The Cavs split their regular-season series against the Thunder 1-1.
