Cavaliers Celebrate Historic 9-0 Start by Dousing Coach Kenny Atkinson in Locker Room

Taking inspiration from Jarrett Allen, the Cleveland Cavaliers celebrated the first 9-0 start to a season in franchise history by dousing coach Kenny Atkinson with water bottles in the locker room.

While there will be more crucial games ahead, including those with higher stakes than the Cavs' 131-122 win in New Orleans on Wednesday night, Atkinson took a moment to relish in a milestone that no other Cavs team had achieved in the 55 years since the franchise joined the NBA in the 1970-71 season.

"You have to," said Atkinson, who also became the first NBA coach to win his first nine games with a new team. "The season's so long. It's so hard to win in this league. So when you do have moments like this, you have to celebrate a little."

Kenny Atkinson has just become the first coach in @NBA history to start 9-0 in his first year with a new team! #LetEmKnow pic.twitter.com/GX7RfnGyQW

— Cleveland Cavaliers (@cavs) November 7, 2024

After shooting 54.2% from the field — including an impressive 48.6% (17 of 35) from beyond the arc — in their 131-122 win over the Pelicans, the Cleveland Cavaliers now lead the NBA with a 52.6% shooting percentage on the season.

“We’re playing good basketball,” said All-Star guard Donovan Mitchell, who led the team with 29 points in New Orleans, while five other teammates scored in double figures. “We’ve done it in so many different ways — blowouts, close games, come-from-behind wins. It’s just the habits that really get me excited about what we’re doing. My biggest thing is consistency. Let’s keep being this team.”

The Cavs will next face the Golden State Warriors at home on Friday night, who set the NBA record for the best start to a season by winning their first 24 games in the 2015-16 campaign.

Against the Pelicans, Cleveland’s bench contributed a combined 50 points, and four of the five starters scored 14 or more.

“Again, everyone contributes,” Atkinson said. “It’s what good teams do. We’re in a good place physically and mentally. When you win nine in a row, it’s not just one or two guys; it’s the whole roster.”

In his four seasons as head coach of the Brooklyn Nets, Atkinson only posted a winning record once, finishing 42-40 in 2018-19. After that, he spent four years as an assistant — one with the Los Angeles Clippers and three with Golden State.

Now, in his second stint as a head coach, Atkinson is off to a promising start with a team that not only won a playoff series last season but was also expected to contend for the Eastern Conference postseason again this year.

“The vibes are great, the energy’s great, he’s done a phenomenal job with us, and we’ve all bought in,” said Mitchell. “He’s given us input but also allowed us to contribute our ideas, and I think that’s what’s special.”

Atkinson, for his part, seems pleased with the harmony he’s observed, both among his players and between himself and the team.

“What stands out to me is the camaraderie this team has, the chemistry that’s developing, and how connected they are,” Atkinson said. “I’ve been fortunate to join a really good group — a group that’s had success in the past — and I’m happy for them. I think they’re happy for me in the locker room too.”

“There’s a bond between the head coach and the team,” Atkinson continued. “You’ve got to celebrate those moments. It’s pretty cool.”