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•Get the NBA App•Coverage of the 2024-25 NBA Awards•Coach of the Year Award: Historical Winners
Kenny Atkinson, head coach of the Cleveland Cavaliers, has received the prestigious Red Auerbach Trophy, signifying him as the 2024-25 NBA Coach of the Year.
This marks Atkinson’s first time earning the Coach of the Year title, as he wraps up his inaugural season as head coach of the Cavaliers and his fifth overall coaching season in the NBA. He now joins Bill Fitch (1975-76) and Mike Brown (2008-09) as the third individual to achieve this honor while leading Cleveland.
During Atkinson’s tenure, the Cavaliers posted a remarkable record of 64-18, achieving the second-best winning record in the franchise’s history and securing the top playoff position in the Eastern Conference. Atkinson’s achievements also place him tied for the fourth-highest number of wins in a coach’s first season with a franchise.
CONGRATULATIONS TO KENNY ATKINSON, YOUR 2024-25 NBA COACH OF THE YEAR! #LetEmKnow
MORE INFORMATION HERE: https://t.co/b7igQ6rWc0pic.twitter.com/Xlzvujdfbc
— Cleveland Cavaliers (@cavs) May 5, 2025
Cleveland matched the 2006-07 Dallas Mavericks by becoming one of only two teams to achieve three separate winning streaks of 12 games or longer in a single season. The Cavaliers kicked off their campaign with a historic 15-game winning streak, tying for the second-best season start in NBA history, and also established a franchise record with a 16-game winning sequence from February 5 to March 14.
Atkinson also guided Cleveland to several impressive franchise records during the season, including leading the NBA in scoring average at 121.9 points per game, a scoring differential of 9.5 points per game, an impressive 30 victories on the road, and
a total of 1,303 three-pointers made.
He was recognized as the NBA Eastern Conference Coach of the Month on two occasions, covering the months of October/November and December. Additionally, he earned his first opportunity to serve as a head coach in the NBA All-Star Game.
The recipient of the 2024-25 NBA Coach of the Year Award was determined by a global media panel comprising 100 voters. The detailed voting results are shared below, with the balloting conducted by the independent accounting firm Ernst & Young LLP.
The winner of the 2024-25 NBA Coach of the Year Award was chosen by a global panel of 100 media members.
See the full voting results here ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/Ic00MtHPzq
— NBA Communications (@NBAPR) May 5, 2025
