With the top seed already secured, the Cleveland Cavaliers took it easy on Thursday, giving their stars a breather. The Indiana Pacers, meanwhile, had no plans of coasting. The game may have meant little on paper, but things got heated—fast. Tristan Thompson logged some rare minutes, and that’s when the chaos kicked in.
The Cavs pulled off an unexpected push and somehow entered the fourth with an 82-81 edge—but minus their head coach. Late in the third, Obi Toppin bulldozed through Thompson on a drive, practically tossing him sideways. Somehow, no whistle. Thompson, off-balance and falling, threw up a wild hook shot—and it actually went in. But that didn’t calm the storm.
Cavs’ boss? He completely lost it. Right after the no-call, he unloaded on the refs with a full-on verbal barrage. One tech came quick. But Atkinson wasn’t done. He kept going, pushing right up to the line—then crossing it with zero hesitation. The officials didn’t blink before slapping him with a second technical. Just like that, he was tossed before the fourth even started.
Now here’s the thing: this wasn’t some high-stakes playoff clash. The game meant nothing for the standings. And yet, Atkinson went all in. He got ejected for standing up for Thompson in a “meaningless” matchup.
But that kind of stuff sticks. When a coach fights for the 15th man like he’s your franchise star, it sends a message. Every player, from the top of the rotation to the end of the bench, saw that.
This is a developing story…
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