Less than 24 hours after the Indiana Pacers blitzed that Cavs in a 121-112 win to take a 1-0 lead in the two foes conference semifinal matchup head coach Kenny Atkinson shared some ominous injury news regarding several key Cavaliers players versatile wing De'Andre Hunter suffered a dislocated thumb on his shooting hand after taking a hard spill in the fourth quarter when he went up for a transition dunk The play was highly scrutinized at the moment as the officials ruled that Benedict Mathurin blocked Hunter's shot at the rim ignoring the fact that his body also made contact with Hunter sending him barreling to the floor and ultimately clutching at his right hand While Atkinson made sure to express that he didn't think the Pacers were deliberately playing dirty in Game 1 he did take acceptation with the way the game was officiated especially in regards to the play that has now has Hunter entering Game 2 listed as questionable "Upmost respect for Indiana and Rick [Carlisle] and how they coach and I don't think they were dirty plays but I think it passed the line of physicality That line we've kind of been been talking about 1 was the non-call on De'Andre's layup Everyone in the world just look at that play and they reviewed it I felt like he got absolutely obliterated and dislocated his thumb." Star forward Evan Mobley will also enter Tuesday as questionable after coming up lame on a late fourth-quarter hook shot where he landed on Pacers' big man Myles Turner's foot and rolled his ankle Mobley was seen limping around the locker room after the game Cavs HC Kenny Atkinson: There were 2 plays in that game that crossed the line of physicality.No he dislocated his thumb and will be questionable Evan Mobley will also be questionable with an ankle injury Atkinson was equally as critical of the officiating on that play which happened just seconds before Hunter's spill Turner violated the NBA's landing rule foul which prohibits defenders from stepping into a shooters landing zone on shot attempts clearly under him and shooters need space to land," Atkinson explained "And is pushed off balance in our opinion and tweaks his ankle pretty bad." even after the hard block on Hunter was reviewed It wouldn't have changed much for the Cavaliers who now enter Tuesday with uncertainty over whether or not two key players will be available Atkinson did try to soften his criticism of the officiating expressing his respect for the Pacers and noting that he rarely criticizes NBA refs that's on the referees," Atkinson said "Maybe they're miscalls or maybe I'm misinterpreting the rules But I've got a problem when we've got two of our best players doubtful for tomorrow's game It's hard for me to get my head around that." Atkinson's use of the word "doubtful" added some additional concern to the situation questionable and doubtful exist in a similar bucket they're two very different designations If Mobley and Hunter are truly just questionable there is a good chance they'll be able to suit up and play through their respective ailments it would signal that neither player is likely to play Atkinson's final comments on the matter was calling it a "real concern." What that officially means remains to be seen The Cavaliers have until 5:30 on Monday to release their Game 2 injury report The content on this site is for entertainment and educational purposes only Betting and gambling content is intended for individuals 21+ and is based on individual commentators' opinions and not that of Sports Illustrated or its affiliates All picks and predictions are suggestions only and not a guarantee of success or profit If you or someone you know has a gambling problem crisis counseling and referral services can be accessed by calling 1-800-GAMBLER On3 is a registered trademark of On3 Media Speaking Monday, May 5, at the team's practice facility, Atkinson relayed some frustration with a few non-calls during the fourth quarter of Game 1, which the Cavs lost 121-112 All of a sudden, the Cavs have some serious health-related questions in a series that will demand a comeback The two plays occurred on back-to-back possessions in the fourth quarter Atkinson noted he didn't view the plays as dirty and he respects Indiana and coach Rick Carlisle but he felt the Pacers crossed a line of physicality in terms of what should have been called a foul He also was sure to note he views the refs in the NBA as "phenomenal," but he was confused because of the two non-calls but I think it passed a line of physicality," Atkinson said "That line we've kind of been talking about where it became excessive." Evan Mobley received a pass in the paint and attempted a hook shot over Myles Turner of the Pacers "[Myles] Turner contests his two-point shot and [Mobley] is pushed off balance kind of in our opinion and tweaks his ankle pretty bad," Atkinson said "I think you guys saw him limping the rest of the game NBA playoffs: De'Andre Hunter dislocates thumb on shooting hand against PacersThe next time down the floor Hunter was hit hard while driving to the basket I felt he got absolutely obliterated and dislocated his thumb Atkinson later used the term "doubtful" to describe both Mobley and Hunter but then acknowledged he views the terms as similar I have so much respect for how they play," Atkinson said Maybe there were missed calls or maybe I'm misinterpreting the rules But I have a problem when we got two of our best players doubtful for tomorrow's game It's hard for me to get my head around that "Haven't talked about the referees all year I think the referees in this league are phenomenal and they do a great job and that was a darn good crew that did last night it bothers me that we're dealing with this And there should be some repercussions in terms of making the call." You will also start receiving the Star's free morning newsletter Cleveland Cavaliers head coach Kenny Atkinson shouts in the first half in Game 1 of an NBA first-round playoff series against the Miami Heat crosses the court to yell at referee Ed Malloy while being held back by Pistons forward Tim Hardaway Jr. and guard Dennis Schroder (17) during the first half of Game 6 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series against the New York Knicks Houston Rockets head coach Ime Udoka watches during the second half of Game 6 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series against the Golden State Warriors Kenny Atkinson got Cleveland off to a 15-0 start to the season and led the Cavaliers to the best record in the Eastern Conference Bickerstaff pulled Detroit from the basement to the playoffs Ime Udoka guided Houston’s path to ending its five-year playoff drought one of them will be the NBA’s coach of the year None of the three have won the award previously but al have been legitimate candidates before Bickerstaff has gotten votes now in each of the last four seasons Udoka has gotten votes in all three of his seasons as a head coach and Atkinson finished fifth in the voting for the 2018-19 season No matter the order of finish — which will be revealed on a TNT broadcast shortly after 6:30 p.m Eastern — it will be the best finishes ever in the voting for all three coaches They’ll be 1-2-3 in some order; the NBA releases the three finalists ahead of time but does not disclose the winner of its major awards ahead of the broadcast announcement Atkinson and Bickerstaff both did this in Year 1 of their current stints Atkinson led Cleveland to a 64-18 record and the No 1 seed in the Eastern Conference — doing so after Bickerstaff got fired following a run to the second round in Cleveland last season Bickerstaff was then hired by Detroit and turned a 14-win team into a 44-win team that earned the East’s No was voted on by a global panel of 100 writers and broadcasters who cover the league and cast ballots shortly after the end of the regular season The executive of the year will be revealed Tuesday and the league’s social justice champion will be revealed Wednesday Major awards that will be announced later in the playoffs include MVP (either Oklahoma City’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Denver’s Nikola Jokic or Milwaukee’s Giannis Antetokounmpo) AP NBA: https://apnews.com/nba Your browser is out of date and potentially vulnerable to security risks.We recommend switching to one of the following browsers: Account processing issue - the email address may already exist Invalid password or account does not exist Submitting this form below will send a message to your email with a link to change your password An email message containing instructions on how to reset your password has been sent to the email address listed on your account Please enable JS and disable any ad blocker After having a cakewalk in the first round against the Miami Heat, the Cleveland Cavaliers got tripped up on Sunday by Tyrese Haliburton and the Indiana Pacers in Game 1 of their Eastern Conference quarterfinal series at Rocket Arena. The Cavs lost the series opener to Indiana via a 121-112 score The message to the Cavaliers from Indiana was clear that this series is not going to be as easy as what Cleveland experienced in the previous round That can also be encapsulated in the physical midair combat involving Cavs forward De’Andre Hunter and Pacers shooting guard Bennedict Mathurin during one moment in Game 1 who appeared to use his left hand to push off Hunter Mathurin was not called for a foul even after a challenge by Cavs head coach Kenny Atkinson the former Virginia Cavaliers star managed to return eventually to the contest a great sign for his availability in Game 2 Following the game, Atkinson shared his true feelings about the non-call on Mathurin (h/t Evan Dammarell of ClutchPoints): ” #Cavs head coach Kenny Atkinson is exasperated about the non-call on De’Andre Hunter saying that it doesn’t make sense that players can be that physical when the ball is released Atkinson did say that the Pacers outplayed them and that’s why they lost the Pacers simply got the better of Cleveland in Game 1 The Pacers thwarted the Cavaliers’ defense with superb outside shooting Indiana drained 19 of its 36 attempts from behind the arc while the Cavs were just 9-for-38 from deep Andrew Nembhard led the Pacers with 23 points while Haliburton provided 22 points and 13 assists Donovan Mitchell paced Cleveland with 33 points but he was a salty 13-for-30 from the floor and a brutal 1-for-11 from the 3-point area he had 11 points off the bench for Cleveland which will look to avoid a 2-0 series deficit when it hosts the Pacers again for Game 2 this coming Tuesday A Communications Arts graduate from the University of Santo Tomas in the Philippines Rex claims to have JR Smith's conscience with his shot selection and a football championship in fantasy all within a year Ime Udoka guided Houston’s path to ending its five-year playoff drought one of them will be the NBA’s coach of the year The winner will be revealed on a TNT broadcast shortly after 6:30 p.m was voted on by a global panel of 100 writers and broadcasters Ime Udoka guided Houston's path to ending its five-year playoff drought Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content rewritten or redistributed without permission Sign up to receive a daily list of Obituary notifications Signup today for the Harker Heights Herald Would you like to receive sports news from all the schools we cover Would you like to receive news about the Copperas Cove Bulldawgs Would you like to receive news about the Belton Tigers Would you like to receive news about the Ellison Eagles Would you like to receive news about the Florence Buffaloes Would you like to receive news about the Gatesville Hornets Would you like to receive news about the Harker Heights knights Would you like to receive news about the Killeen Kangaroos Would you like to receive news about the Lampasas Badger Would you like to receive news about the Lometa Hornets Would you like to receive news about the Midway Panthers Would you like to receive news about the Salado Eagles Would you like to receive news about the Shoemaker Grey Wolves Thanks for visiting The use of software that blocks ads hinders our ability to serve you the content you came here to enjoy We ask that you consider turning off your ad blocker so we can deliver you the best experience possible while you are here North Carolina transfer defensive end Beau Atkinson announced his commitment to Ohio State Tuesday night Atkinson, a disruptive, 6-foot-6, 265-pound edge rusher, led the Tar Heels in sacks during a breakout 2024 campaign and entered the transfer portal last week after completing spring practices under first-year coach Bill Belichick The top available player in ESPN's spring transfer portal rankings Atkinson joins the defending national champion Buckeyes with two years of eligibility remaining Atkinson became a rotational contributor at North Carolina 2023 before emerging as one of the ACC's top pass rushers as a redshirt sophomore in 2024 he paced all Tar Heels defenders with 7.5 sacks 12 tackles for loss and 25 pressures a year ago finishing as the ACC's sixth-leading sack-getter in 13 games Ohio State adds proven playmaking potential and much-needed experience to a new-look defensive line unit in 2025 The Buckeyes will open their title defense in the fall under new defensive leadership with first-year defensive Matt Patricia the former Detroit Lions head coach and longtime NFL assistant who arrived in February after Jim Knowles' departure for Penn State a group of 2024 reserves who combined for one start and 55 total tackles last fall Atkinson follows Idaho State transfer Logan George (24 tackles 5.5 sacks in 2024) as Ohio State's second defensive end transfer and seventh overall portal addition this offseason Shannon Atkinson entered the 2025 track season with gratitude Atkinson is fresh off a historic debut in just his second year as head coach of the Mustang boys and girls track teams The Mustang girls captured their first-ever state title last spring A former Duncan standout and All-American sprinter at OU Atkinson brings 25 years of coaching experience he led Southmoore’s track program from 2011 to 2023 before making the jump to Mustang “The buy-in to our culture has just been different this year,” Atkinson said they didn't really know much about us coming in even though we still managed to win a state title the consistency from the athletes is there and they've been really committed to the program That's why you're seeing the success you're seeing now.” Headlining that success are two of the most decorated athletes in the state — both future Sooners three-time Class 6A state champion Jordan Atkinson and Class 6A long-jump record holder Kassidi Watkins have already signed with OU and will enroll this summer More: Vote: Who will be Oklahoma high school baseball player of the year? Jordan Atkinson has flourished since moving from Southmoore before her junior year She won Class 6A titles in both the 100 meters (11.74 seconds) and 200 meters (23.75) last season recently winning the 100 at the Kansas Relays with a time of 11.72 She recently broke the school record in the 100-meter hurdles with a time of 14.15 in just her first year running the event Watkins set a new 6A state meet record by winning the state title in long jump with a leap of 20-1.5 last year “Having two highly talented Division I athletes on a high school team is phenomenal,” Atkinson said It’s bittersweet that it’ll all be over in these next few weeks The biggest thing with that is we as coaches have to make sure we’re doing everything in our power to put them in positions to succeed since they're that talented.” But the girls aren’t the only ones making noise The Mustang boys have quietly built a contender of their own this spring The Broncos recently claimed first place at the Ardmore Invitational led by several standout performances Freshman Jonathan McCorvey impressed with a win in the 110-meter hurdles (14.63) and a fourth-place finish in the 300-meter hurdles (42.77) Cameron Langdon won the 1600-meter race in 4:33.67 while Derek Straughn narrowly took second in the 200 (21.76) More: Vote for Landmark Fine Homes girls high school athlete of the week for April 21-27 The team also features football standouts Jaden and Jaytee Johnson who have contributed in the 100-meter and 200-meter events After delivering the school’s first-ever girls track title Atkinson has his sights set on history once again He’ll have a shot at bringing home the boys’ first state championship as well in two weeks “The biggest key to success this time around will be our belief in ourselves,” Atkinson said “Even going back to October when we started this whole thing to now they just continue to believe in each other The vibe of the boys and the girls group has been amazing They’re tough to beat when they perform like they’re good enough to compete with anybody — anytime More: Vote for Landmark Fine Homes boys high school athlete of the week for April 21-27 PacersBy Quinn Allen The Cleveland Cavaliers will face the Indiana Pacers in the Eastern Conference semifinals beginning on Sunday but they could be without a key piece for Game 1 Darius Garland, who missed Games 3 and 4 against the Miami Heat in the first round due to injury, went through practice on Friday, but his status is still up in the air for the series opener “Kenny Atkinson says that Darius Garland went through a full practice yesterday and had a planned day off from practice today His status for Game 1 tomorrow against the Pacers is up in the air.” the Cavs didn’t need him for the final two games of the Heat series There’s no questioning the guard’s importance to this Cavs roster. He had a career year for the top seed out of the Eastern Conference and 2.9 rebounds on 40% shooting from downtown The Vanderbilt product also played very well in Games 1 and 2 versus Miami Sam Merrill and Ty Jerome will continue to fill in at point guard alongside Donovan Mitchell The Cavs head into this Pacers series as a clear-cut favorite but they also cannot underestimate Indiana which surprisingly made the East Finals last year While the Pacers won the season series 3-1 Cleveland was resting most of their main guys in two of those games and having Garland healthy with his co-star in Mitchell will be crucial in this group potentially booking a spot in the conference finals Stay tuned for more updates on Garland’s status leading up to game time Tip-off is scheduled for 6 PM EDT on Sunday Quinn Allen is a Senior Associate Editor for ClutchPoints and Cavs Nation >>Click Here to Watch Memorial Service>> Susan “Sue” Muñoz Atkinson peacefully passed away on April 11 A Memorial Service is being held on Saturday at 2 PM at Croxford Funeral Home in Great Falls to Mary-Wynne Atkinson and Bernardo Muñoz She spent her childhood in Redlands before relocating to Great Falls Sue graduated from Great Falls High School in 1975 and went on to attend Kinman Business University After graduating from Kinman Business University Sue worked at Benefis Health System for over 40 years in various business-related positions She also worked part time at the Great Falls Clinic for over five years trusting wholeheartedly in God’s will for her life She consistently nurtured her spiritual journey through her active participation in bible studies Sue had numerous other hobbies and was known to be crafty with her ability to make jewelry  She liked to go to bunco meetings and wine tastings One thing everyone knew about Sue was that she loved her dogs She leaves behind her beloved cocker spaniel nephews and the children of her close friends said that she loved her Great Falls High School Bison and was on the planning committee for most if not all the GFHS Class of ’75 reunions and was instrumental in getting them together Connie always remembers growing up with Sue and going to baseball games together she said they used to always sit right above the dugout so they could see the cute baseball players Sue and Connie were more like sisters and Sue will be remembered as the favorite “Aunt” by Connie’s children “Sue liked to cook and had a good potato salad recipe that she stole from me that was my mom’s She’d make it for office potlucks.” Alice always gave Sue a bad time for bringing the potato salad but at least she didn’t have to make it Alice remembers Sue as a very caring person who would help in any way she was able John Muñoz Atkinson and Robert Muñoz Atkinson; nieces Bernardo; and grandnieces and grandnephews Cleveland Cavaliers coach Kenny Atkinson has been named the National Basketball Coaches Association's Coach of the Year Atkinson took over a Cavaliers team that reached the second round of the postseason last year and led them to a 16-win improvement and the top seed in the Eastern Conference. Cleveland's 64-18 record marks the first time the team has won 60 or more games since 2009-10 and the first ever without LeBron James on the roster "Kenny Atkinson has long been respected by his peers as an innovative and humble servant to the game," Indiana Pacers coach and NBCA president Rick Carlisle said in a statement "Congratulations to Kenny on a historic season along with this prestigious recognition by his peers." Bickerstaff, who was replaced in Cleveland by Atkinson, led the Pistons to their first playoff appearance since 2019, more than tripling their win total from last season (14) to this season (44). Daigneault's Thunder romped through the regular season, going 68-14 for the league's best record and finishing 16 games ahead of the second-place Rockets in the Western Conference. Led by Udoka, those Rockets were a surprise this season. While the expectations were higher entering the season, Houston finishing second in the loaded West seemed unlikely. However, the Rockets are in the playoffs for the first time since the 2019-20 season. Malone earned votes for Coach of the Year but was fired with three games to go in the regular season. His departure was part of an unexpectedly timed housecleaning done by Nuggets vice chairman Josh Kroenke. The winningest coach in franchise history, Malone guided the team to an eventual fourth seed in the West. © 2025 BVM Sports. Best Version Media, LLC. The former North Carolina standout led his team in sacks last season with 7.5 and possesses a strong track record in both pass rushing and run defense Head coach Ryan Day expressed optimism about Atkinson joining a deep defensive line that already includes players like Kenyatta Jackson Jr suggesting that Atkinson's skills will complement the current roster effectively As Ohio State prepares for the upcoming season the coaching staff will look to leverage Atkinson's versatility and integrate him into their defensive schemes The dynamics of the defensive line could shift allowing for creative formations and matchups Beau Atkinson's arrival at Ohio State strengthens the defensive end unit With the potential for strong performances on both pass rushing and run defense Atkinson is poised to make significant contributions as the Buckeyes pursue a successful season The summary of the linked article was generated with the assistance of artificial intelligence technology from OpenAI We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it OK Privacy policy Abbey Ann Sanchez, 36, of Atkinson, IL passed away on Saturday, April 26, 2025, at her home. A memorial visitation will be held on Sunday, May 4, 2025, from 2 P.M. – 5 P.M. at Vandemore Funeral Homes & Crematory – Atkinson Chapel. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to her husband, Alex Sanchez, to set up school funds for her children. Those left to cherish her memory include, her mother, Luann DeGrave of Atkinson, IL; husband, Alex Sanchez of Atkinson, IL; children, Jordan and Tessa Sanchez; grandmother, Joyce Thurston of Hooppole, IL; brother, Brad (Nicole) DeGrave of New Lennox, IL; sister Katie (Kyle) Hankins of Andalusia, IL; many, aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her father, Daniel DeGrave, and her grandparents.  the Cleveland Cavaliers enter the second round as favorites to reach the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time since 2018 Following a lopsided sweep in round one against the Miami Heat winning the final game by 55 points in Miami Donovan Mitchell and Evan Mobley were surgical with Mitchell scoring at will and Mobley denying any interior presence the Heat tried to force but their perimeter defense kept the Heat to a poor 20.4 percent from range All of the Cavaliers' success in the first round has made them a favorite against the Indiana Pacers as the series begins on Sunday, May 4, in Cleveland. Indy overcame the Milwaukee Bucks in five games as Damian Lillard suffered a torn Achilles tendon and the supporting cast around Giannis Antetokounmpo could not match the offensive firepower Tyrese Haliburton and the Pacers unleashed Indiana is not a team built around one specific superstar though Haliburton is emerging as a playoff star averaging 30 assists per game - the most in the postseason the 64-win Cavs are too much to handle for their fellow midwest rival the Cavaliers averaged the most points (126) in the NBA Cleveland not only shot the most three-pointers each night with 43.8 attempts but they converted the highest percentage at 44 percent Cleveland only trailed Indiana's assist numbers by 4.2 per game There has been one key factor playing to Cleveland's favor in the playoffs. Though All-Star point guard Darius Garland has been sidelined since game two against Miami the Cavs are still rolling through each game head coach Kenny Atkinson unlocked something unique hidden in the Cavaliers the Cavs often deferred to a short bench rotation leaving the Cavs' core injured and tired by the playoffs Atkinson instead systematically rested his players limiting their minutes each game and resting them in the wake of injuries constantly throwing new schemes at his rival coach to force them to make changes and stay uncomfortable Permitting the opponent to get comfortable and find their rhythm is a death sentence In the Los Angeles Lakers' game four loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves head coach JJ Redick played his five starters the entire second half the fourth quarter showed a depleted squad as the Timberwolves found the weaknesses and constantly exploited them Cleveland's bench averaged 46.5 points per game is tied as the third-highest average points per game with Evan Mobley at 16.3 points De'Andre Hunter has averaged 13 points per night Atkinson has given the green light to his reserves to keep the Cavaliers afloat Nine Cavaliers are averaging at least 11 minutes played per game and seven players averaged more than 10 points per game against Miami versatile roster emphasized by Atkinson's proactive coaching Whether it is alternating between man coverage and zone defense or switching the offense approach constantly Atkinson has refused to allow his opponent on the other bench to get comfortable and predict his next move As the Cleveland Cavaliers enter the conference semifinals Kenny Atkinson must continue to force rivals into uncomfortable situations by trusting in his bench and throwing new looks throughout every game © 2025 Minute Media - All Rights Reserved Betting and gambling content is intended for individuals 21+ and is based on individual commentators' opinions and not that of Minute Media or its affiliates and related brands ","https://fansided.com/",{"alt":"66","src":"67","url":"68"},{"type":"65","value":"69"},"link","Minute Media","https://www.minutemedia.com/",{"text":"6c","url":"6d"},{"type":"6b","value":"6e"},"All Rights Reserved Betting and gambling content is intended for individuals 21+ and is based on individual commentators' opinions and not that of Minute Media or its affiliates and related brands He has a Master's Degree in Strategic Communications and Leadership and received an award for his work in Sports Information at Ashland University Athletics He has closely followed the Cleveland Cavaliers since moving to Ohio in 2009 becoming a lifelong fan of all things Cleveland placeholders);",{"attributes":"dh","loadingType":"d6","name":"di","source":"dj","type":"d9"},{"type":"d4","value":"dk"},{},"commercial-api","(function () {\n mmClientApi.push('getPageData' All of the Cavaliers' success in the first round has made them a favorite against the Indiana Pacers as the series begins on Sunday, May 4, in Cleveland. Indy overcame the Milwaukee Bucks in five games as Damian Lillard suffered a torn Achilles tendon There has been one key factor playing to Cleveland's favor in the playoffs. Though All-Star point guard Darius Garland has been sidelined since game two against Miami Cavaliers coach Kenny Atkinson guided the team to the best record in the East during the 2024-25 regular season NEW YORK — Cleveland Cavaliers Head Coach Kenny Atkinson is the 2025 recipient of the Michael H the National Basketball Coaches Association announced today .@cavs Head Coach Kenny Atkinson has been named the 2025 recipient of the Michael H Official Release: https://t.co/jpiTiTSAc8 pic.twitter.com/sSqKZvSODz — NBA Coaches Assoc. (@NBA_Coaches) April 19, 2025 Goldberg NBCA Coach of the Year Award recognizes the dedication and hard work of NBA Head Coaches and is presented annually to a Head Coach who helped guide his players to a higher level of performance on-the-court and showed outstanding service and dedication to the community off-the-court the esteemed long-time Executive Director of the NBCA The award is unique in that it is voted upon by the winners’ peers reflecting the depth of coaching excellence in the NBA this season the following Head Coaches also received votes [listed alphabetically]: J.B “Kenny Atkinson has long been respected by his peers as an innovative and humble servant to the game,” said Indiana Pacers Head Coach and NBCA President Rick Carlisle “Congratulations to Kenny on a historic season along with this prestigious recognition by his peers.” in his first season as Head Coach of the Cavaliers led the team to the best record in the Eastern Conference and the second-best record overall in the NBA The Cavaliers captured their first 60+ win season since the 2009-2010 campaign and set a new franchise record with 30 road wins The Atkinson-led Cavs finished with an overall record of 64-18 a 16-game improvement from last season and the team’s second-best mark in franchise history Atkinson is also the first Head Coach in NBA history to take a new franchise to an undefeated record in their first 15 games The Cavaliers had three of the four longest win streaks in the NBA this year (16 making them only the second team in NBA history to have three separate 12-game winning streaks in one season (Dallas Mavericks Coach Atkinson and the Cavaliers coaching staff were twice awarded the Eastern Conference Coach of the Month Award (October/November and December) and were selected as the coaching staff to represent the Eastern Conference in the 2025 All-Star Game Coach Atkinson has quickly transformed the Cavaliers into one of the most prolific offenses in the NBA The Cavaliers led the league in offensive rating at 121.0 and were the only team to finish top two in both field goal percentage and three-point percentage the Cavaliers ranked top three in numerous statistical categories “Coaching the game of basketball has been an amazing journey for me and my family and to be recognized by my peers for a job well done this season is extremely humbling,” said Cleveland Cavaliers Head Coach Kenny Atkinson “I’ve had the pleasure of coaching some amazing players over my career and I would not be in this position without their commitment and sacrifice for the greater good of themselves and the Cleveland Cavaliers.” “I’m also grateful to our assistant coaches and support staff whose tireless work ethic allows me to coach to my highest potential but I must give a ton of credit to Koby Altman for assembling the collection of talent we have in Cleveland A special thank you as well to Dan Gilbert for consistently providing incredible resources and assistance in our chase for NBA Championships.” “Kenny Atkinson is extremely deserving of this award and the recognition from his fellow head coaches,” said David Fogel NBCA Executive Director and General Counsel led the Cavs to one of the greatest regular seasons by a coach in their first season with a new team and the entire organization on winning the Michael H just four years after the NBCA was founded Goldberg became its first Executive Director He guided the organization during the years of the greatest growth in professional basketball He helped gain significant benefits for NBA Coaches Goldberg was General Counsel of the American Basketball Association Goldberg NBCA Coach of the Year Award are: The NBA will announce the NBA’s Coach of the Year later during the 2025 NBA Playoffs About the NBCA: The National Basketball Coaches Association (NBCA) is the labor association that represents basketball coaches in the National Basketball Association (NBA) Founded in 1976 by legendary Boston Celtics player and coach and works closely with the NBA on all matters that pertain to the coaching profession 10 seed to reach the playoffs meets the second most efficient offense in NBA history the East and West championships will run through Cleveland and Oklahoma City The All-Star's rise in Cleveland and his family's influence on him are highlighted in the latest episode of 'Pass The Rock' The Thunder coach is the 2024 recipient of the Michael H Aaron Gordon comes up clutch again for the Nuggets while the Thunder face the 1st big test of their 2025 playoff run Boston's reliance on the 3-ball backfires while New York's defenders come through in the clutch to pull off massive comeback for series-opening win Celtics announce Porzingis was questionable to return with an illness that they specified was non-Covid Breanna Stewart and Jonquel Jones glamour up alongside Angel Reese for the annual fashion event Kenny Atkinson experienced a setback on his coaching journey it fueled the 2024-25 NBA Coach of the Year Follow the NBA Playoffs with our Nightly Pulse blog featuring all the latest news scores and highlights from around the league USA; Cleveland Cavaliers head coach Kenny Atkinson reacts during the first half against the Indiana Pacers in game one of the second round for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Rocket Arena In a season defined by strategic brilliance and relentless determination one coach’s visionary leadership has captured the spotlight The anticipation surrounding the coveted Coach of the Year award reaches fever pitch as hearts race for a decision that promises to etch history in basketball lore Kenny Atkinson has orchestrated a campaign marked by methodical planning and dynamic execution His team’s remarkable ascent to clinching the best record in the Eastern Conference stands testament to his innovative tactics and unwavering commitment the Cavaliers have turned challenges into triumphs blending disciplined defense with an agile offensive approach that has left opponents struggling to keep pace While Atkinson’s accomplishments shine brightly this season the race for the prestigious award shines a light on a broader narrative of coaching excellence Bickerstaff of the Pistons and Ime Udoka of the Rockets have also demonstrated distinctive strategies and leadership styles Each candidate’s journey reflects diverse paths—where tactical genius and the mastery of man-management converge to redefine team potential his track record reinforcing his claim to a historic accolade Drawing on years of experience and a deep understanding of game dynamics Atkinson has steadily transformed his team’s culture His approach—marked by attention to detail and the fostering of a resilient mindset—has become a blueprint for success his ability to adapt in high-pressure situations and galvanize his players has not only reaped impressive results on the scoreboard but has also reenergized the spirit and passion within his squad the race for Coach of the Year encapsulates more than just a tally of wins; it represents the culmination of dedication and the transformative power of effective leadership Atkinson’s journey underscores the impact a coach can have in shaping a team’s destiny leaving an indelible mark on the broader narrative of the league the story of this season serves as a reminder of the enduring influence of visionary leadership in sports—a legacy that inspires teams and fans alike to believe in the endless possibilities that come from unwavering determination and excellence on the court A collapse in overtime and a record-setting shooting lapse have left the Boston Celtics reeling as they face renewed scrutiny in their Eastern Conference semifinal series Compelling Upset on the Court The Denver Nuggets transformed improbability into history with a stunning win that defied expectations and silenced doubters A singular moment in basketball can redefine a team’s future and the Washington Wizards are quietly engineering a transformation that promises to pay dividends in the seasons ahead... Compelling Dawn of a Rising Star An electrifying energy now pulses through the Washington Wizards camp as Bilal Coulibaly emerges into the spotlight A championship dream can hinge on a single moment injuries and defensive struggles are rewriting the playoff narrative © 2025 M Sports - Premium news & magazine M Sports Please enter your username or email address to reset your password © 2025 M Sports - Premium news & magazine M Sports Please select what you would like included for printing: Copy the text below and then paste that into your favorite email application Our beloved Marcia Atkinson (nee Williams) passed away in her home with her devoted husband by her side on March 31 Marcia was born on January 30th in 1948 to Carl Edward and Mildred Williams in Concord Her father passed away when she was a very young girl Marcia became and remained very close to her mother throughout her life After graduating from Ygnacio Valley High School Marcia eventually decided to move to Utah to attend BYU She began studying elementary education in 1968 and very quickly met her eternal sweetheart Marcia chose to be baptized into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints This was a decision she took very seriously and it would continue to influence her life in the years to come as she served in and sincerely lived the tenets of her faith she married her beloved Brent and was sealed to him for eternity in June of that year in the Oakland California Temple She adjusted easily to married life and enjoyed many activities with her husband including stream fishing for dinner in nearby canyons she also began her career as a dedicated elementary school teacher She deeply loved her children and devotedly cared for and taught them She was a constant voice of reason for them and was always conscious about the values and character she was instilling in each one as she continued her important work as a mother Being naturally inclined to teach others at every opportunity she threw herself into her work and taught for many years She greatly valued her students and spent countless long nights preparing lessons and activities for them She was known to move critters into her school classroom for her students to learn about and enjoy she also served diligently in numerous assignments within her faith She was unfailingly steadfast in her duties at church all while acting with uncommon generosity and kindness Marcia fiercely loved each one of her grandchildren as they came along and she made time for them all even if it meant traveling far away to be in their presence she made it a point to spend time reading with them and teaching them about the world around them as they grew They loved her in return and carry immeasurable beautiful memories of the time she spent with them Known for her keen intellect and ready laugh Marcia was also quick to smile and show gratitude and find joy in every situation She served everybody she met without reserve She was known to open her home to many over the years She made it a point to find ways to help others even when it wasn’t convenient or easy and at times even when it involved much sacrifice She led an exemplary life and has left an enduring impression on those blessed enough to have known her and who have spent time in her presence She will always be remembered for her strength of character Though we wish we could have had her with us longer we know those loved ones who preceded her in death welcomed her with open arms and the reunion was joyous We are so thankful for the time we had with our precious Marcia Atkinson Our rich memories of her and her beautiful legacy of love and goodness will continue to live on and will never be forgotten we wish to express our gratitude to the wonderful staff at Elevation Hospice for their compassionate care and help during Marcia’s final days 2025 at 12:00 PM at the Vine Bluff Cemetery Enter your phone number above to have directions sent via text This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply Service map data © OpenStreetMap contributors DiSalvo Director of the Cornell Atkinson Center for Sustainability (left to right) discuss the value of visionary partnerships between Cornell Atkinson and organizations such as EDF on April 10 during Cornell Atkinson’s 15th anniversary celebration In 2017, Environmental Defense Fund released an explosive report documenting the presence of heavy metals in baby foods Lead – which can lower children’s IQ and cause behavioral problems – was found in foods such as grape juice And California passed legislation requiring baby food companies to test monthly for lead “We researchers alone could not have achieved the impact we did without this partnership with EDF,” said David Lodge “The pathways to achieving the impact required university-produced research and regulatory action by the FDA and the state of California.” Students demonstrate their Cornell Atkinson-funded work on multi-use solar site design and management at the April 10 event’s student poster session Cornell Atkinson has supported more than 150 graduate research grants and more than 100 student internships Lodge and EDF President Fred Krupp discussed this success story and many others as part of a daylong celebration of Cornell Atkinson’s 15-year anniversary held April 10 in the newly opened Atkinson Hall More than 20 Cornell scientists and representatives from the Clean Air Task Force showcased the research and collaborative partnerships that are preventing pandemics reducing methane from dairy cows and recycling renewable-energy batteries A video recording of select sessions is available to the public Cornell Atkinson was founded in 2010, thanks to an $80 million gift from David ’60 and Patricia Atkinson both of whom attended the anniversary celebration the center has supported the work of 700 faculty fellows and awarded $45 million to more than 1,200 sustainability research projects “The center builds on a foundation that stretches back to Cornell’s beginnings: As a land-grant institution, established on the principle of ‘any person … any study,’ Cornell has since its early days been a place where research and practice have intersected,” said Provost Kavita Bala “Our mission was always to do the greatest good – for New Yorkers and the regulatory agencies who enforce these laws has largely eliminated such disasters in the developed world agriculture is the single-biggest source of methane a potent greenhouse gas with a shorter lifespan in the atmosphere than carbon but 84 times as much warming potential as carbon dioxide over a 20-year period Dairy cattle are a large source of methane but it’s much harder to treat pollution coming from a billion cows than from a few smokestacks Atkinson researchers and practitioners like EDF are working together to combat methane pollution by bridging the gaps between scientific discovery and solution implementation the pharmaceutical additive Bovaer reduces cow methane emissions by roughly 30% Though it had been approved in Europe for several years it was stuck in “regulatory purgatory” in the U.S. Cornell and EDF brought together consumer groups NGOs and FDA regulators to agree on an approach to expedite review and approval of the feed additive in the U.S Nichols saw how state-level action could have broader impact When California required stricter fuel efficiency standards for cars manufacturers improved those standards for cars across the country businesses and philanthropists working together can make a tremendous amount of progress even when the federal government is completely sidelined,” Nichols said neither are those of us who know that it has to be addressed McCarthy helped inform the Inflation Reduction Act which included the biggest investment in climate mitigation and adaptation in U.S history and incentivized domestic energy and manufacturing our goal was not to talk about greenhouse gas emissions Our goal was to talk about human beings: bettering people’s lives “You need to engage people and grab for every opportunity.” Krisy Gashler is a freelance writer for Cornell Atkinson Get Cornell news delivered right to your inbox I didn't learn about the American Revolution in school But my children all grew up in the US – and they did And I noticed that while the Civil War is often portrayed in all its violence and gruesomeness stories from the revolution focus on heroism When I think of the American Revolution, my mind conjures images of impassioned colonists dumping tea into Boston Harbour. Paul Revere's midnight ride through Massachusetts George Washington crossing the Delaware River But 250 years since the war began, it's time for a different, more complex look at America's origin story. I recently spoke with Pulitzer Prize-winning historian Rick Atkinson about the realities of the Revolutionary War that often go overlooked. His latest book on the conflict, The Fate of the Day It was an eye-opening discussion that taught me a lot – you can watch or read our conversation here: Click play to watch Rick Atkinson's conversation with Katty KayBelow are excerpts from the above conversation which have been edited for length and clarity Katty Kay: It wasn't until recently that I really became aware just of how gruesome the Revolutionary War was The stories from the Battles of Saratoga of 16- and 17-year-olds freezing to death in the fields I was wondering why you felt it was important to tell that side of the story in your books I think the reason that it hasn't been acknowledged to be the bloody affair that it was is in part because of distance 250 years of distance makes it hard to really feel an emotional connection to the dead has photographs of the dead at places like Gettysburg and Antietam There's none of that in the revolution KK: I can see why there was a need in the Revolutionary War to build up the founding fathers into almost Greek gods Do you think they were sort of put on a pedestal because America needed that as the kind of launch pad of its narrative RA: Yeah, I think that's true. When you've been through an ordeal like the eight-year revolution was, there's a natural sense of believing that those are demigods who managed to win through. But George Washington had feet of clay like all of us do. He had almost 600 slaves at Mount Vernon during his lifetime It is an awful reminder that the prosperity of this country was largely predicated on bondage The propagandists who were running this country at the time were so effective as propagandists that they had really portrayed the British as evildoers even though there were atrocities committed by both sides We kind of whitewashed that part of the revolution for years I come back to the idea that the story is muddier than we were told for a couple of centuries RA: It makes it a much more interesting story He got the job partly through his father's influence And he just refused to buy into the notion that rebellion was legitimate And he went to jail and eventually into exile You multiply that by thousands and you see families split apart the same way they were in the Civil War The Civil War qualities of the revolution extend in other ways The Six Nations of the Iroquois had gotten along very well for more than a century And the revolution forces them to choose sides Four of them align with the British and two with the rebels – and they're killing each other This is one of the aspects of the revolution that I think has not been fully appreciated by us in our history: the extent to which the war was not just between us and them KK: I was talking to historian and filmmaker Ken Burns recently about the revolution and he compared the intense divisions in the colonies to South Vietnam during the Tet Offensive I'm wondering whether you feel that understanding all the muddiness and complexity of the revolution makes the war feel more relevant to a modern audience We like to think of ourselves as peacemakers and a force for good but that is not the only thing we are – Rick AtkinsonRA: I think when you look at America in 2025 and see these fractious people you can follow that thread right back to the beginning of the origins of the country I think that understanding who those people were and how difficult they could be at times can help us to reconcile ourselves with the people we are 250 years later KK: I also think there can often be this origin-story idea that America did it mostly alone in the Revolutionary War But your book starts with Benjamin Franklin asking for support from the French Was that sense of doing it alone something that you were conscious of revisiting when you wrote the book because otherwise it's not a true story We don't win the war in 1783 without the French Franklin's job is to persuade Louis XVI that France – an absolute monarchy a Catholic monarchy – should throw in its lot with Protestant and he persuaded the French that joining the war was in their best interest because the French had grievances against the British America needed help; that's an important part of the story When we give a thumb in the eye to our closest friends today we should remember that we've needed those friends in the past It's a lesson directly from American wars in the past Winston Churchill said that the only thing worse than fighting with allies is fighting without them If you liked this story, sign up for The Essential List newsletter – a handpicked selection of features, videos and can't-miss news, delivered to your inbox twice a week. 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(KOKH) — Three people were arrested over the weekend for a homicide in Midwest City Midwest City police were dispatched to the intersection of Crosby Boulevard and Rulane Drive on Saturday afternoon in response to a shooting Officers found a man with multiple gunshot wounds lying in the roadway The man was later identified as Anthony Brown Midwest City officers spoke to the passenger in Brown's vehicle at the scene who said the incident started due to road rage Other witnesses told police they saw a black Nissan leaving the scene after the shooting The passenger in Brown's car told police Brown exited I-40 off Hudiburg Drive when a vehicle failed to yield to them at the exit Traffic on the access road has a stop sign while traffic exiting the highway has the right-of-way nearly hit them as they exited the highway The driver in the Nissan honked back and flipped Brown and his passenger off Brown's passenger admitted they also honked and flipped off the car As both vehicles approached SE 15th street Brown's passenger said the people in the Nissan pointed to the parking lot of Woekie Credit Union Brown's passenger realized the other vehicle's occupants wanted to fight Brown passed the credit union and then turned onto SE 15th The passenger said the Nissan started following them Brown's passenger told police that two men exited the Nissan that was following them Brown's passenger started fighting one of the men from the Nissan The man from Nissan stripped off all of his clothes except his underwear Brown's passenger continued to fight the man from the other car and ended up wrestling in the grass and mud on the side of the road Brown tried to approach them to break up the fight Police say that's when Brown's passenger heard someone from the Nissan yell about firing a "warning shot" Brown continued to try to break up the fight when he was shot multiple times All three people from the Nissan then fled the scene Midwest City police arrested Angela Atkinson The Cornell Atkinson Center for Sustainability will celebrate its 15th anniversary with a daylong program on April 10 highlighting the center’s varied research and success in developing partnerships that benefit people and the planet The daytime program will include 20 Cornell scientists and external collaborators discussing their transformative research on topics such as harnessing deep geothermal energy; improving sustainability in the dairy industry; and developing next-generation batteries for renewable energy technologies Members of the public are invited to participate in a livestream of the event; register here The April 10 evening keynote panel on the future of U.S. climate policy will be moderated by Anne Thompson, NBC News’ chief environmental affairs correspondent and the spring 2025 Zubrow Distinguished Visiting Journalist (DVJ) in the College of Arts and Sciences (A&S) The event is co-sponsored by A&S as part of the DVJ program senior adviser at Bloomberg Philanthropies managing co-chair of the America Is All In coalition and the first White House national climate adviser under President Joe Biden; and Mary Nichols former chair of the California Air Resources Board and senior staff attorney for the Natural Resources Defense Council Members of the public are invited to join the discussion online, or in person in G-01 Gates Hall, from 7:30-9 p.m. Livestream registration is open the Cornell Atkinson Center for Sustainability was founded with a bold vision: to connect Cornell’s world-class research with real-world action,” Lodge said “Mission-driven partnerships with corporations NGOs and government agencies have turned research into action while continued generosity from donors gives us the flexibility to tackle both longstanding and emerging societal challenges in new ways.” Atkinson Hall officially opened its doors with a ribbon-cutting ceremony April 9 realizing its benefactors’ vision of the facility as a home for impact-driven research across grand challenges in sustainability the new research building – the first on Cornell’s campus that is not affiliated with a single college – will be an epicenter for radical collaboration expanding the university’s ability to catalyze research and advance solutions to urgent global needs The vision of Atkinson Hall was made possible thanks to a landmark gift of $30 million from David R. Atkinson ’60 and Patricia Atkinson who sought to support a multidisciplinary hub where researchers students and global partners could work toward groundbreaking discoveries Kotlikoff and Provost Kavita Bala at the ribbon cutting to open Atkinson Hall on April 9 “This investment is the physical embodiment of the Atkinson family’s long-term commitment to research that makes a tangible difference in the well-being of people and the planet,” David Lodge DiSalvo Director of the Cornell Atkinson Center for Sustainability Kotlikoff said the Atkinsons and their family “deeply understand the power of research to improve lives through discovery collaborative partnerships and the economic benefits of innovation.” Atkinson Hall hosts offices and labs for several research units: Cornell Atkinson; the Master of Public Health program; the Department of Computational Biology; and will be the home for the Cornell Center for Cancer Immunology which will bring research strengths in cancer biology immunology and the impact of nutrition on immune health and cancer development and treatment Patricia Atkinson and David Atkinson '60 listen to remarks during the Atkinson Hall dedication ceremony this beautiful new building is allowing us to live into our mission as the hub of sustainability research on campus – not just a virtual hub The design will spark “creative collisions” among people and ideas across Cornell’s disciplines and research programs and across its campuses in Ithaca and New York City “Dave and Pat’s tremendous generosity helps our community to pursue the innovation, the discovery and the creativity that is necessary to solve the issues we face across the globe by enabling collaborations across all disciplines,” Provost Kavita Bala said “Their ongoing support allows Cornell scientists to propel their science into the world and furthers our mission to enhance the lives and livelihoods of those in our communities and around the globe.” “While Cornell Atkinson has far exceeded our expectations perhaps the greatest benefit of having been involved with the center has been the opportunity to meet and get to know so many great Cornell faculty and employees,” David Atkinson said “It is very gratifying to know that their collective work will be enhanced by the presence of Atkinson Hall.”  As a reflection of the university’s commitment to sustainability, Atkinson Hall includes numerous energy-saving features – from rooftop solar panels and thermal regulation around the building’s exterior to a cascading air system that is designed to cut energy use by 26.4%, compared to similar buildings. The building was designed by Lake Flato Architects in collaboration with SWBR In addition to the Atkinsons’ lead support, philanthropic gifts for offices and meeting spaces in the building have been provided by Erica Chan ’91, as well as David Drinkwater ’94, who also endowed the David Drinkwater Faculty Directorship at Cornell Atkinson, a position held by Daryl Nydam professor of population medicine and diagnostic sciences in the College of Veterinary Medicine “Atkinson Hall will allow Cornell to do what it does best – bring together faculty from across disciplines to achieve the next level of investigation and discovery,” said Gary Koretzky “This will be transformative for the fields of immunology computational biology and biomedical engineering I can only imagine what discoveries we are going to see as the science in this building develops.” Kelly Merchan is the communications manager for societal systems in Cornell Research and Innovation                 Cynthia K 2025 at her residence surrounded by her loving family under the care of Mayo Clinic Hospice                 Cindy was born August 19                 On May 22 Cindy married Jon Atkinson in Chippewa Falls                 She was a true tomboy and spent a lot of time coaching and playing in numerous softball and volleyball leagues fishing and golfing – even winning the league one year with her friend She made great memories with some of her best girlfriends in their group watching out for cardinals and hummingbirds being the biggest supporter of anything her children did and having “Nana Days” watching her grandson Nothing beats spending time with her husband                 Cindy will be remembered for her contagious laugh and smile that lit up a room caring nature and kind and understanding heart                 Cindy is survived by her husband Matt (Nicole) Swoboda of Eau Claire; two daughters Ashley Marie Pilgrim of Chippewa Falls and Alyssa (Trevor) Rosemeyer of Thorp; five brothers and Bob Short all of Chippewa Falls and Thomas (Mary Ellen) Short of Eau Claire; two sisters Judith Nehring of Chippewa Falls and Marie Holstein of Eau Claire; and one grandson                 Cindy was preceded in death by her parents; and two brothers                 Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m January 10 at Central Lutheran Church in Chippewa Falls Following services there will be a Celebration of Life from 3p.m at Ojibwa (OJ) Golf Course in Chippewa Falls                 Visitation will be held from 11 a.m                 Cindy’s family would like to thank Mayo Clinic Cancer Center Mayo Hospice and all the family and friends that’ve offered their support during this time                 The family prefers memorials to Ojibwa Golf Course (OJ) for trees in memory of Cindy             affectionately known as “Billy,”was born in Joliet to the late Lucille Austin and Roosevelt Atkinson Billy carried his love for art throughout his life leaving behind a legacy of sketches and paintings that captured his keen eye and thoughtful spirit During postseason exit interviews, Heat forward Kyle Anderson said the Cavs played better in the series when All-Star guard Darius Garland didn't play Cavaliers coach Kenny Atkinson was asked about the remark at practice I don't listen to that," Atkinson said "I think we're better with our All-Star point guard personally." Here’s #Cavs head coach Kenny Atkinson on Darius Garland + his response to talk they played better without Garland v #Heat pic.twitter.com/D07ERKI62H Although Garland averaged 24 points and seven assists before missing the final two games with a toe injury it's hard to ignore the difference in point differential The Heat lost by a combined 30 points in the first two games as opposed to a staggering 92 points in the last two games the Cavaliers' defense allowed almost 27 fewer points per 100 possessions when Garland was off the floor in the series Garland told reporters earlier in the series that picking on Tyler Herro is a key to success for the Cavaliers Alexander Toledo is a contributor to Miami Heat On SI and producer/co-host of the Five on the Floor podcast, covering the Heat and NBA. He can be reached at toledoalexander22@gmail.com. Twitter: @tropicalblanket The Miami Heat's season ended Monday as the Cleveland Cavaliers completed the most lopsided sweep in the NBA's history Heat newcomer Kyle Anderson was asked what changed between the first two games and the last two games of the first round series at optional exit interviews on Wednesday I don’t mean to throw shots at anybody or even entertain what was going on between them but they looked like a better team without Garland on the floor," Anderson said "Now I don't know the numbers or anything but I think it played more into their favor once Garland wasn't on the floor Garland called out "picking on Tyler Herro" as a key strategy for the Cavs earlier in the series so this can come off as bad-mouthing the team that just beat them down As 'The Dunker Spot's Nekias Duncan points out the Cavaliers' defensive rating was about six points better when Garland wasn't out there Anderson elaborated on what changed for the Heat when Garland a two-time All-Star who averaged 24 points and seven assists in the first two games of the series they had more guys out there on defense so I think once we came across that it got kind of tough for us I'm not saying they’re better without Garland ALEX TOLEDOAlex, who was born in Miami, is also a producer, co-host and reporter for the Five on the Floor podcast. He has covered the Heat and NBA since 2019 as a season credential holder. He studied journalism at Florida International University. left this life unexpectedly on January 26th Noah is preceded in death by Great Grandfather Jack Overly and Great Grandmother Margie Casados He is survived by his father Joshua (Kaitlyn) Atkinson He enjoyed his time with his family and loved his siblings tremendously He loved to be outdoors riding motorcycles or playing video games with his friends Noah loved sneakers and collected shoes.  Funeral services will be held at Horan and McConaty 3101 S Graveside services will be held at Evergreen Cemetery 1005 Hancock Expy Colorado Springs The family would like you to join them for a reception at The Hillside Community Center 925 S Institute St Please share memories and condolences with Noah's family by signing the guestbook Horan & McConaty Funeral Service and Cremation - Southwest Denver/Lakewood TAMPA BAY – The Tampa Bay Lightning have recalled forward Cam Atkinson from the Syracuse Crunch of the American Hockey League vice president and general manager Julien BriseBois announced today has skated in 38 games with Tampa Bay this season recording four goals and nine points while averaging 8:47 of time on ice native made his Lightning debut October 11 at Carolina before recording his first point with the Bolts Atkinson scored his first goal with Tampa Bay November 21 at Columbus and has logged one goal and three points over his last four games played with the Lightning Atkinson was originally drafted by Columbus in the sixth round of the 2008 NHL Draft and was signed as a free agent by Tampa Bay on July 2