The New York Knicks goalkeeper Jalen Brunson, on the right, goes to the basket against the Celtics center of Boston Al Horford (42) in the first half of match 1 of a series of NBA basketball playoff series on Monday, May 5, 2025 in Boston. (AP photo / Charles Krupa)
The Associated Press
Kenny Atkinson's biggest concern at the end of the semi-final series of the Eastern Conference of Cleveland against Indiana was trying to compete against the rapid offensive of the Pacers.
The composition of the questions for Atkinson is that the riders may have to enter the match 2 of Tuesday in the short term.
The attackers Evan Mobley and'Andre Hunter joined Darius Garland among those who discussed when the most seeded riders even try the series at home.
Mobley and Hunter were both injured in 26 seconds to the fourth quarter of what was a tight match before Indiana took control and retired for a 121-112 victory on Sunday evening.
Mobley walked his left ankle when he was deposited by Myles Turner from Indiana and had no room to land after his turnout entered to put the Cavs 99-98 with 8:10 to play.
On the possession of Cleveland who followed, Hunter fought his thumb on his hand of shooting after Bennedict Mathurin blocked his attempt as a racing dunk. Hunter landed strong on his right hand out of the limits after the shot was blocked. The Cavs lost the rereading review when the Mathurin block was considered to be clean.
Atkinson said he didn’t consider plays, but thought they had a line of physicality and become excessive. He also hopes that this will not become a theme throughout the series.
“I don't think it's on Indiana. But the fact, I think it's on the referees,” said Atkinson after training on Monday. “Maybe they were missed or maybe I hardly interpret the rules, but I have a problem when we had two of our best dubious players for the game of tomorrow. It is difficult for me to understand this. And there was no call on one or the other.
“I have not spoken of referees all year round and I think that the referees of this league are phenomenal and they are doing a great job. It was a hell of a good crew last night, but for any reason, it bothers me that we are dealing with this.
Garland has missed the last three games due to a sprain on the left. The star leader will give you Tuesday afternoon to see if he can return to the programming.
The presence of Garland in defense was certainly missed Sunday after Tyrese Haliburton collected 22 points and 13 assists, as well as three blocked shots. The CAVS were upgraded by 10 points when Sam Merrill, the replacement of Garland, was on the ground.
“Haliburton is obviously the chief of the snake with this rhythm. They have someone who can bring it. They all sprint in their place and we must be a little better with that,” said Merrill.
Atkinson thought that the riders would go out with the same home as they had swept Miami's warmth. Instead, they were physically pushed to the fourth quarter.
“I had the impression that we were challenged and concentrated to stamp this series (against Miami). I thought we would go out with the same home and all that and for any reason, we did not do it. At the end of the day, it is the merit of Indiana because they brought it honestly,” said Atkinson.
Best coach
Kenny Atkinson crossed a pre-season without victory with the Cleveland riders and wondered if his team would be good. It turns out that they were better than good.
And their coach – he was the best of the NBA this season. Atkinson is now a coach of the NBA year, announced on Monday evening as a recipient of this year of the Red Auerbach Trophy.
Atkinson led Cleveland at a start to the 15-0 season – one of the three victories sequences of at least 12 games this season by his club – and led the riders to the best record of the Eastern Conference.
Hardy extended
Will Hardy has more time to continue the reconstruction of Utah jazz.
Jazz announced on Monday that Hardy had signed a contract extension, which could keep it as a head coach throughout the 2030-31 season. He will enter his fourth season with jazz next fall.
Hardy went 85-161 during his first three seasons with jazz, missing the playoffs during each of these three years. Utah won 37 games in its first season, 31 in its second and only 17 this season – by far the worst record in the history of the franchise and the worst NBA record this season.
Knicks flying game 1
Boston-Jalen Brunson and Og Anunoby each scored 29 points before Mikal Bridges stole the ball at Jaylen Brown with a second on the left in overtime, and the New York Knicks amazed the Boston Celtics 108-105 in match 1 of their series of semi-final conferences in the East on Monday evening.
Karl Anthony-Towns added 14 points and 13 rebounds for New York, who lost the four games against his longtime rival during the regular season and dragged 20 points in the second half of this match. Jayson Tatum and Brown both collected 23 points for defending champion Celtics, who had an NBA 45 eliminatory record missed 3 points to blow up a match they seemed to have in control.
