Cleveland Cavaliers head coach Kenny Atkinson highlighted his team’s resilience after Monday’s 119-117 victory over the Denver Nuggets at Ball Arena. “We just stuck with it. Stuck with it. It wasn’t going our way, but we had great spirit and togetherness and I… we had a belief even when we were down that we were doing the right things,” Atkinson said.
The Cavaliers trailed for nearly 43 minutes before Donovan Mitchell delivered the decisive free throws with 0.9 seconds remaining. “Then I thought our end game execution was pretty much perfect. Four, you know, big plays that we had to make execution wise and we executed,” he added.
Atkinson praised the leadership of James Harden and Mitchell in late-game situations. “High IQ player, elite IQ… he’s coaching the guys through… we have the plays that we run, but it’s the details and he’s a detail guy, and Don is too,” he explained, referencing Harden and Mitchell’s ability to guide role players.
The coach also described the step-back three-pointer by Harden that tied the game with 32 seconds left. “It was a two-for-one situation. We got the matchup we wanted. That was vintage James Harden,” Atkinson said.
Mitchell’s late-game performance earned further recognition. “Don got his hand… he just put his head down, drew the foul. Huge play by him,” the coach said, highlighting the guard’s decisive drive at the end. Mitchell finished with 32 points and 10 assists, adding critical poise during the comeback.
Jarrett Allen’s defensive impact on Nikola Jokic was also noted. “You can only try to wear down Jokic… JA is playing great basketball. He’s playing as well as any center in the league right now,” Atkinson said. Allen posted 22 points and 13 rebounds while applying rim pressure that disrupted Denver’s rotations.
The Cavaliers’ balanced scoring helped fuel the rally. “We got shooters around, Jaylon hit a couple of big threes. Sam hit that big three when they double teamed James… role players and JA with the lobs… it’s an absolute luxury,” Atkinson explained. Jaylon Tyson scored 16 points, and Sam Merrill contributed nine.
Atkinson reflected on the growth of his team in high-pressure situations. “These reps are vital… when preparing for playoffs, we’ll be in these situations. Great simulation tonight and, you know, the Sacramento game too. Proud of the guys for how they locked in and executed,” he said.
Cleveland improved to 33-21 with the victory, winning eight of its last nine games. Denver, now 34-20, dropped its fourth game in five contests despite Nikola Jokic’s 22 points, 14 rebounds, and 11 assists. The Cavaliers host the Washington Wizards on Wednesday, while the Nuggets remain at home to face the Memphis Grizzlies.
