The Cavaliers have already clinched the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference. They hold the league’s second-best record behind the OKC Thunder. So, the team’s 114-112 loss didn’t impact their playoff seeding. But for the Pacers, it was a big win. They have gained a home-court advantage for the first time in the Eastern Conference playoffs since 2014. This was their fifth straight win. However, Cavs coach Kenny Atkinson wasn’t pleased with one thing with the officials. Both Charles Barkley and Shaquille O’Neal took a stand for the coach.

Securing home-court in the playoffs provides a significant boost, offering the Pacers the advantage of playing in front of their home fans in a potential Game 7 situation, a factor that can often sway the outcome of closely contested series. During the matchup, the Cavs coach received two technical fouls for his heated exchange with the officials as well as using explicit language. He was ejected after he argued that Cavs player Tristan Thompson was fouled on a layup over Pacers player Obi Toppin.

Replays of the play appeared to show Toppin making contact with Thompson’s arm during his shot attempt, seemingly validating Atkinson’s frustration. The Inside the NBA crew also felt that Thompson was fouled. “You know who else thought he got fouled? Kenny Atkinson! Is Kenny going nuts?” Johnson said as they dissected the move. 

Both the veteran analyst, Shaq and Chuck were quick to declare it. “Tell him That’s terrible. That’s a foul. That’s absurd,” O’Neal said. “He’s done a hell of a job, man,”Chuck added. The Philadelphia 76ers legend also pointed out how Atkinson is one of the top contenders for the NBA Coach of the Year honor. “It’s going to be close with him and (JB) Bickerstaff for coach of the year,” he added.

Speaking of the Indiana Pacers, they had a stunning run. Leading the way for the team was Tyrese Haliburton, who dropped 23 points and 10 assists on 8-of-16 shooting from the field. He had help from his teammate Myles Turner, who notched 13 points, seven rebounds, and four blocks. Pacers star Jarace Walker had 15 points, while Aaron Nesmith contributed 22 points on 7-of-14 shooting. 

Most of the Cavs starters, Darius Garland, Donovan Mitchell, Evan Mobley, and Max Strus sat out. Despite the Cavs being short handed, they managed to put up tough competition. Meanwhile, Ty Jerome had 24 points, and De’Andre Hunter added 23 points and 11 rebounds. While the Pacers celebrated a meaningful victory, the spotlight quickly shifted to the ejection of Cavaliers coach Kenny Atkinson and the vocal support he received from the “Inside the NBA” analysts, highlighting a potential officiating misstep and underscoring Atkinson’s impressive coaching tenure.

Charles Barkley has immense faith in Kenny Atkinson 

One of the teams to have an impeccable record right from the beginning is the Cleveland Cavaliers. The team opened the 2024–2025 season with an awe-inspiring 15 straight wins. This is the second-longest winning streak so far to open an NBA campaign! Moreover, the Cavs have maintained the same pace until now.

Chuck was one of the few who pointed out that Atkinson has made a difference. His claim about the coach earlier shows how much faith he has in him. Not just the Cleveland Cavaliers, the Philadelphia 76ers legend also lauded the coach for his impressive stint with the Brooklyn Nets.

“People forget, now think about three or four years ago,” explained Charles. “We were bragging about Kenny Atkinson doing a great job in Brooklyn. He was doing a fabulous job, and we’re like, ‘This guy might be the next really, really good coach.’ If you go back and look, he was doing a great job in Brooklyn…This guy knows how to coach, but we forget cuz our last memory of him getting fired in Brooklyn,” he said on the TNT show.

After a combined 48 wins in his first two years as coach, Atkinson guided the team to 42 wins in his third season. It was during his reign that the Nets made it to the playoffs after three years. He has been equally impressive with the Cavs. Just as Chuck highlighted, he is one of the favorites to win the Coach of the Year honor. As the playoffs approach, the officiating will undoubtedly be under scrutiny, and Atkinson’s case serves as an early flashpoint of the heightened emotions and stakes of postseason basketball.