Cleveland Cavaliers coach Kenny Atkinson is standing by his actions after a dramatic ejection in his team’s 114-112 loss to the Indiana Pacers on Thursday night at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Atkinson, who received two technical fouls late in the third quarter, made it clear that he has no regrets about his decision to defend his player, Tristan Thompson, following a controversial push in the back.
Speaking candidly after the game, Atkinson explained his reasoning: “I don’t regret that one. It’s Tristan Thompson. He’s 14 years in the league, and quite honestly, it was anybody. But to get pushed in the back, a blatant foul like that, there wasn’t enough scrum. You have to stand up for your guys, stand up for Tristan.” Atkinson added that this moment exemplified the coach’s commitment to his players, regardless of the situation.
The Cavaliers entered the game already securing the top spot in the Eastern Conference, resting four of their key starters for the contest. Despite this, Cleveland’s bench players, including Isaac Okoro and Craig Porter Jr., brought the necessary intensity, keeping the game competitive until the final moments.
Atkinson also praised his team’s overall effort despite the loss, which snapped their 9-game win streak. “We gave ourselves a chance to win,” he said, highlighting the team’s grit and defensive efforts. “Really proud of the bench, proud of the guys that started. Really good effort. It’s a shame we didn’t pull it out.”
The Pacers, led by Tyrese Haliburton’s 23 points and 10 assists, took advantage of Cleveland’s shorthanded lineup to secure the victory. Haliburton’s pivotal 8-point stretch in the fourth quarter helped Indiana erase a narrow deficit and take control. He also contributed eight rebounds and three blocks, providing a complete performance that lifted the Pacers to their 49th win of the season.
While Atkinson was ejected, he was still vocal about his belief in his players. He singled out rookie Jaylen Tyson and Craig Porter Jr., praising their fearless approach, especially with key moments on the line. “What I loved about Jaylen and CP was there was no fear. They took their shot, and I kept telling them to make more mistakes, keep being aggressive.”
As for his team’s performance, Atkinson was particularly pleased with their rebounding efforts, which have been a challenge in recent games. “Dre was great, and Tristan—he’s one of the best at it. But really, the whole squad rebounded tonight,” he said. Atkinson also noted that despite Cleveland’s struggles on the boards, the defense stood tall, with players like CP and Sam showing great fight.
The Cavaliers were outscored by Indiana 23-9 in transition, contributing to their defeat. Cleveland’s Ty Jerome, who led all scorers with 24 points in just three quarters of play, sat out the final period, which may have contributed to their late-game struggles.
Looking ahead to the playoffs, Atkinson remains focused on getting his players, including his bench, prepared for the postseason grind. “It’s about getting them ready for the moment,” he said, mentioning how he intentionally gave minutes to players like Isaac Okoro and Dre. “Once the playoffs come, we’ll have to figure it out from there. But I feel like we’re a group that’s ready—not just one through eight, but one through 15 ready.”
With the win, Indiana (49-31) secured their spot in the postseason, a major milestone for the team, which hasn’t finished in the top-four of the Eastern Conference in a decade. On the other hand, Cleveland (63-17) remains in prime position as the top seed in the East, even as they prepare for the upcoming playoff series.
