Kenny Atkinson Named NBA Eastern Conference Coach of the Month
Cleveland Cavaliers Head Coach Kenny Atkinson has been named the NBA Eastern Conference Coach of the Month for games played in February 2026, the NBA announced today.
CLEVELAND – Cleveland Cavaliers Head Coach Kenny Atkinson has been named the NBA Eastern Conference Coach of the Month for games played in February 2026, the NBA announced today. This marks Atkinson’s third time earning Coach of the Month accolades in his career, all with the Cavaliers, after previously earning the honor twice last season (October/November 2024 and December 2024). He becomes just the third coach in franchise history to win coach of the month on three or more occasions, joining Mike Brown (five times) and the late Lenny Wilkens (three times).
Atkinson led the Cavaliers to an 8-3 record in February, which was tied for the third-best record in the Eastern Conference during the month. The Cavs recorded a season-high seven-game winning streak from February 1-20, including five consecutive road wins (at Portland on February 1, at the L.A. Clippers on February 4, at Sacramento on February 7, at Denver on February 9, and at Charlotte on February 20). Defensively, Cleveland held opponents under 100 points three times (tied for the fourth-most in the East) and ranked fourth in the conference in opponent three-point percentage (.340) and fifth in opponent field goal percentage (.446). The Cavs also logged three of their four lowest opponent scoring totals this season in February, limiting New York to 94 points on February 24, Brooklyn to a season-low 84 points on February 19, and the Clippers to 91 points on February 4.
The reigning NBA Coach of the Year also helped the Cavaliers lead the East in points per game (120.9) and field goal percentage (.498), while also ranking third in assists per game (28.9), fourth in three-point percentage (.369) and fourth in steals per game (10.00) in February. Cleveland scored at least 120 points four times (tied for fourth in the East) as well as three games with at least 130 points (tied for second in the East). Additionally, the Cavaliers outscored their opponents by 10.9 points during the month (third-best in the East).
San Antonio Spurs Head Coach Mitch Johnson earned coach of the month honors in the Western Conference.
Related Articles
Cavs drop to Pistons in Game 1, 111-101
Whether it was the fatigue of going toe-to-toe with the Raptors for seven contentious games or a tough Pistons’ defense that led the NBA in steals, the turnover-prone Cavaliers never got into a groove on Tuesday night in Detroit and dropped a 111-101 decision in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Semis.
Wine & Gold Takes the Game and the Series
After Toronto led through the first two quarters, Cleveland closed the first half on an 11-2 run to tie the game and started the second half on a 9-0 burst to blow the contest open. When the smoke cleared, the Wine & Gold had run away with the game and the series – taking the 114-102 decision, ending the Raptors season and advancing to the Eastern Conference semifinals to face a familiar playoff nemesis beginning on Tuesday night in Detroit.
Cleveland Cavaliers Advance to Eastern Conference Semifinals Official 2026 Round 2 Fan Guide
The Cleveland Cavaliers, number four seed in the Eastern Conference, will face the number one seed Detroit Pistons in the Eastern Conference Semifinals.