Cavaliers Coach Kenny Atkinson Shockingly Ejected from Pacers Game

Alex Kirschenbaum | Apr 10, 2025

Apr 6, 2025; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers head coach Kenny Atkinson reacts during the second half against the Sacramento Kings at Rocket Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images / Ken Blaze-Imagn Images

With the Eastern Conference's No. 1 seed already locked up, the mighty Cleveland Cavaliers are resting many of their top players in a potential second-round playoff series preview on Thursday night against the Indiana Pacers.

Following a surprisingly robust run, the Cavaliers head into the fourth quarter leading by a single point, 82-81 — but without their head coach for the final frame.

First-year Cleveland head coach Kenny Atkinson, thought to be the favorite to earn Coach of the Year honors this season, was ejected from the game late into the third period after contesting referees' decision not to call a foul on Pacers power forward Obi Toppin for making clear contact with reserve Cleveland big man Tristan Thompson on a drive.

Kenny Atkinson EJECTED for defending Tristan Thompson pic.twitter.com/Q48rqZwFt1

— Fullcourtpass (@Fullcourtpass) April 11, 2025

The Pacers had been in the midst of a 15-2 run to rally their way back into the Cleveland bout, before some Cavaliers free throws stopped the bleeding a bit.

Assistant coach Johnnie Bryant will take over for Atkinson down the stretch.

Cleveland, with nothing to play for, opted to rest four of his starters — All-Star point guard Darius Garland, small forward Max Strus, All-NBA shooting guard Donovan Mitchell, All-Star power forward Evan Mobley — for the game.

Read More: Cavaliers Stunningly Rule Out Another Star Ahead of Pacers Matchup

The Pacers, meanwhile, are playing for the East's No. 4 seed.

If New York defeats Detroit tonight:
• New York is locked into the third seed.
• Indiana is locked into the fourth seed with a win OR a Milwaukee loss.
• Milwaukee is locked into the fifth seed with a win AND an Indiana win.
• Detroit is locked into the sixth seed with a… https://t.co/cZmhIN73vy

— NBA Communications (@NBAPR) April 10, 2025

The Pacers will secure homecourt advantage in the first round of the playoffs with a victory on Thursday. If the 50-29 New York Knicks lose their ongoing matchup with the Detroit Pistons and the Pacers win against Cleveland, Indiana will remain alive in the hunt for the East's third seed.

More Indiana Pacers: Pacers Need to Retain 4th Seed for Playoffs

For just the fourth time in franchise history (and the first time since LeBron James departed for the Los Angeles Lakers), Cleveland clinched the No. 1 seed in the East this season with a 63-16 record on the year so far. Hence, Atkinson has been playing deep-bench cogs like Thompson and Javonte Green big minutes down the season's home stretch, and strategically allocating limited minutes to starting center Jarrett Allen and sixth man Ty Jerome.

More Indiana Pacers:

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For more news and notes on the Indiana Pacers, visit Indiana Pacers on SI.