The Cleveland Cavaliers achieved a franchise milestone, reaching 60 wins for only the third time in history with their 127-122 victory over the Los Angeles Clippers on Sunday. First-year coach Kenny Atkinson expressed his pride and encouraged his team to savor this achievement, rather than focusing solely on winning the top seed in the Eastern Conference.
The Cavaliers’ 2009-10 season remains the franchise-high mark of 61-21, while their previous best was 66-16 in the 2008-09 season. The milestone is especially meaningful for the team, as it marks their first 60-win season without LeBron James, who left the team after the 2010 season.
“We’re trying to do something special and hopefully we can break away from that notion or the records,” said center Jarrett Allen, acknowledging the influence of James on the city. Despite adversity, including a four-game losing streak in March, the Cavaliers have regained momentum, winning four of their last five games.
Coach Atkinson emphasized the importance of his team’s performance and the need for mental toughness ahead of the season finale. “If I had priorities, I would rather be playing well and having everyone healthy,” he said. The Cavaliers are currently 4.5 games ahead of Boston in the Eastern Conference standings with seven games remaining.
While securing the top seed is crucial, Atkinson prioritized his team’s growth and mentality over winning the first-place spot. With their focus on improvement, the Cavaliers aim to build on this achievement as they prepare for their final games.
Source: https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/44472059/cavaliers-reach-60-wins-first-lebron-james