This time last year, would you have imagined that the Cleveland Cavaliers squad would have such a good run? After all, this was the same team that, only 4 years ago, ended its season run by holding the 13th seed. Right from the start of the season, however, Donovan Mitchell and Co. made strides that let people forget that such a poor run even existed. Now, with the recent win against the Brooklyn Nets, the franchise has matched its longest winning streak in history at 15 games—a moment Kenny Atkinson highlighted as something that will be commemorated in the coming days.
The Cleveland Cavaliers’ head coach spoke to the media after the team’s recent win against the Brooklyn Nets. During the Q&A session, a reporter asked Atkinson’s thoughts on the win streak. After all, as the journalist highlighted, the coach likes to often believe that ‘We haven’t done anything yet.’ Atkinson stated that the streak is especially a welcoming sight for “old-school guys” like him.
After all, the old Cleveland Cavaliers crew have experienced a similar win streak less than 10 years ago. However, even they weren’t as long as the team’s current one. Therefore, to mark the feat, Atkinson revealed, “We’ll put a banner up in our practice facility. Koby just told me. So, that’s pretty cool.”
Before the ongoing tournament, two of the best regular season runs the Cavs had were during the 2015-2016 season and the 2016-2017 season. After LeBron James returned to the franchise in 2014, it developed a new winning mindset. After losing the first game of the 2015-16 season, the Cavs went on to win their next 8 games. They would establish another 8-game win streak later in the season. Even as then-head coach David Blatt was fired in January 2016, and replaced by assistant coach Tyronn Lue, the Cavs finished the regular season with a 57–25 win record. The team would win their first and only championship title to date that year.
The next season, they kicked off their run with an eight-game winning streak. In both seasons, the Cavs recorded 10 consecutive wins in the post-season. While all that is impressive, it certainly does not compare to what the team has accomplished now.
“15 in a row, it, you know, haven’t done, you know, started the season 15 in a row, and do it at this juncture of the season with fatigue and, you know, teams like, you know, Brooklyn coming in, playing super hard, and trying to…. people trying to knock us off, it’s really quite an accomplishment” Atkinson continued. “We want bigger things and we all know we want the playoffs, but I think we’ll look back on this and say it’s (a) pretty incredible accomplishment”.
After this win streak and a 55-10 win record, one can only presume where the Cavs head next. If one analyst is to be believed, then the team’s current record is an indication that things will also take a nostalgic turn for them in the post-season, just like the LeBron James days.
Brian Windhorst predicts at least a 16-game postseason win record for Donovan Mitchell’s team
Renowned analyst Brian Windhorst brought up the Cleveland Cavaliers during his recent interview on ESPN Cleveland. During the same, he stated, “It is hard to wrap your mind around the idea that they could go from winning, you know, what they win last year? 6 playoff games? To winning 16, that elevation is enormous. I’m very excited and anxious to see how they do.”
Windhorst made it clear that he’s not putting all his odds on the Cavs for this season. It is not ‘win or bust’ for him. However, he still believes that at the end of the day, ‘The 216’ has a chance.
“They have a real chance. Like, on the pie chart, it’s a big chunk that the Cavs could end up holding the championship. They gotta have things going their way. They have what they need,” Windhorst continued. For anyone planning to take an early vacation, the analyst had a message for them: Keep your plans till June open.
“Keep your plans for June open,” – @WindhorstESPN is really feeling good about the Cavs in the playoffs right now. pic.twitter.com/0XGKTtfclf
— ESPN Cleveland (@ESPNCleveland) March 11, 2025
While a 15-game streak banner is certainly appealing, does it match up to another championship banner? Kenny Atkinson and Donovan Mitchell may have realized the answer to this question. Therefore, under his leadership, just how far the team goes is something that remains to be seen.
The post Kenny Atkinson Confesses Nostalgic Feelings Over Major Honor as ESPN Analyst Sets Marker for Donovan Mitchell’s Cavs appeared first on EssentiallySports.
