The Cleveland Cavaliers have already clinched a spot in the 2025 NBA Playoffs. In fact, they’re the only team to date to have booked a postseason ticket, but Cavs head coach Kenny Atkinson knows there’s still so much work left for his team.
Atkinson reiterated that point following the Cavaliers’ 112-110 victory over Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks at Fiserv Forum on Sunday.
“I think we’re hungry because we know what’s coming, Atkinson told reporters during the postseason press conference.
“We know we still have another level to get to, another round to get to at least. When you have that hunger — and we still have the edge — because we haven’t gotten to the mountaintop. We can’t be on cruise control.”
Atkinson also set a new franchise record for most wins in a season by a first-year Cavaliers head coach, with Cleveland notching its 54th win of the campaign at the expense of the Bucks.
Cleveland Cavaliers take care of business against the Bucks
The Cavs used a balanced attack to thwart Milwaukee. All five Cleveland starters scored in double digits, with Max Strus pacing everyone with 17 points. Donovan Mitchell had 15 points, while Evan Mobley and Darius Garland had 13 points apiece.
While it was not an efficient shooting night for Cleveland, which shot just 44.3 percent from the floor, the Cavaliers’ defense helped them overcome their mediocre offense. Milwaukee shot just 42.9 percent from the floor and forced the Bucks into committing 18 turnovers, which Cleveland converted into 17 points.
Cleveland, which improved to 54-10, will look to extend their current win streak to 15 games on Tuesday against the Brooklyn Nets at home.
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