Overview
- NBA Communications announced the fine Saturday on behalf of executive vice president James Jones, and the penalty does not bar Atkinson from coaching Sunday in Portland.
- Atkinson was ejected at 10:59 of the fourth quarter after receiving a second technical for storming onto the court over a no-call on Sam Merrill’s drive against Collin Gillespie and making inadvertent contact with an official.
- After the loss, Atkinson criticized the officiating, noting Cleveland had just one free throw through three quarters and describing parts of the game as “circus-like.”
- Cleveland lost 126-113 to the Suns, ending a five-game winning streak as 22 turnovers and cold three-point shooting compounded their frustrations.
- The Cavaliers were assessed four technical fouls in total, including ones to Donovan Mitchell and De’Andre Hunter, in a game worked by officials Mitchell Ervin, Nate Green and Michael Smith.