Cavs head coach Kenny Atkinson did not show a lot of frustration towards the NBA’s Last Two-Minute report for Game 2 between the Cleveland Cavaliers and Indiana Pacers.
The Cavaliers had a 20-point lead in Game 2 despite missing several key players. However, the Pacers rallied as they took advantage of several mistakes Cleveland committed down the stretch. This also included the officiating crew missing important calls, especially the play where Tyrese Haliburton grabbed the offensive rebound after a free-throw miss to knock down the game-winning 3-pointer for Indiana.
“Multiple players enter the lane and cross the three-point line before the ball is released for the free throw, and the shooter steps over the plane of the free throw line before the ball touches the rim,” the report reads, per Siegel. “The call should have been made and a jump ball held at midcourt.”
Atkinson reacted to the report on May 8, per team reporter Evan Dammarell. Cleveland is preparing for Game 3, but the head coach set the record straight about his thoughts on the report.
“We were up 20. And when you talk about the last two minutes, I ask, instead, ‘How did we blow that 20-point lead?’… it’s coaching decisions. It’s player decisions. It’s refereeing decisions. We all make mistakes,” Atkinson said.
What’s next for Kenny Atkinson, Cavs
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Kenny Atkinson seems to be taking the high road when it comes to the report. He knows it’s not just the officiating that could impact who wins or loses; it’s how his team closes out games that would decide the winner as well.
Injuries have come at the bad time for the Cavs. Darius Garland has been out since the first round, Evan Mobley and De’Andre Hunter are nursing their own injuries. As a result, it puts more responsibility on Donovan Mitchell to produce a lot of the offense, which can limit the ceiling of Cleveland’s attack if he’s the only consistent threat.
The series isn’t over as Cleveland still has time to get back into it. However, it will require their role players to step up the plate and produce at a high volume to keep up with the Pacers.
The Cavs will look to avoid a 3-0 series deficit when they face the Pacers in Game 3. The contest will take place on May 9 at 7:30 p.m. ET.
