Cavaliers HC Kenny Atkinson Strongly Defends James Harden
Summary
The Cleveland Cavaliers lost Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals to the New York Knicks in overtime after leading by 22 points in the fourth quarter. Cavaliers coach Kenny Atkinson defended James Harden’s defense, saying the team’s overall defense was responsible for the loss.Key Facts
- The Cavaliers lost to the Knicks 115-104 in overtime in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals.
- The Cavaliers led by 22 points in the fourth quarter but allowed the Knicks to come back.
- Knicks guard Jalen Brunson scored key points in the fourth quarter after frequently getting past Harden on defense.
- James Harden, a former NBA MVP, has recently faced criticism for his defense.
- Coach Kenny Atkinson praised Harden as a smart and effective defender, blaming the team’s overall defense for the loss.
- The Cavaliers played well for the first three quarters but struggled in the fourth quarter.
- The Knicks have not lost a playoff game since April 23.
- The winner of this series will face either the Oklahoma City Thunder or the San Antonio Spurs in the 2026 NBA Finals.
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