Cleveland Cavaliers head coach Kenny Atkinson credited a balanced team effort for Monday night’s 113-101 win over the San Antonio Spurs at Frost Bank Center. “Obviously the physicality and the energy… tonight we responded. We were the force. We were the hit-first team,” Atkinson said.
Jarrett Allen led the Cavaliers with 27 points and 10 rebounds, while Evan Mobley added 16 and Darius Garland contributed 15 points and 11 assists. Atkinson emphasized the importance of involving the team’s bigs, noting, “I challenge our guards… you got to give them the ball over the middle. If they don’t touch it, they’re not going to be as engaged defensively.”
The Cavaliers executed a defensive game plan that limited San Antonio’s paint opportunities. Atkinson explained, “We really crowded the paint… made it tough on their drive game. If they’re going to beat us, let them beat us from the outside. That was kind of the game plan.”
Cleveland’s bench also made a significant impact. “Jaylen hit two big threes… our energy bench guys played their role getting us extra possessions,” Atkinson said. Craig Porter Jr. and Nae’Qwan Tomlin provided important minutes, with Atkinson praising their contributions: “Really good minutes, really good energy… CP’s offensive rebounding, for a 6’4 kid, is amazing.”
Atkinson highlighted the strategic use of Lonzo Ball’s minutes. “With Zo, I just have a big-picture thing. Keeping him healthy and available… I want to keep that going,” he explained. The coach also credited his assistant consultant for his defensive insights, saying, “He’s like my coach whisperer… gives us tips on how to play against Wemby and little stuff. He’s got great feel for the game.”
Cleveland trailed by eight in the third quarter before a late surge, including back-to-back threes by Jaylen Tyson and a four-point play from De’Andre Hunter, helped the Cavaliers seize control. Atkinson lauded the team’s offensive execution, stating, “We don’t need Donovan to score 35 points to be a hell of a team… Don and DG making others better, that’s how we got this win.”
Victor Wembanyama led the Spurs with 26 points and 14 rebounds, but the Cavaliers’ interior scoring and team depth proved decisive. Atkinson emphasized, “We had really good team defense off the ball… and we used the probes, swing it, get the blender going. Thought we did a good job of that.”
Cleveland shot 43% overall and 90% from the free-throw line, outscoring San Antonio 29-21 in the paint in the fourth quarter. The Cavaliers snapped a two-game losing streak while ending the Spurs’ eight-game winning run.
Cleveland returns home to face the Phoenix Suns on Wednesday, while the Spurs host the New York Knicks.
