CAVS DOMINATE WARRIORS, MAKE HISTORY WITH PERFECT START

CLEVELAND - Kenny Atkinson is riding high after leading the Cleveland Cavaliers to an impressive 10-0 start in his inaugural season as head coach. His infectious grin said it all as he beamed at the box score following the Cavs’ dominant 136-117 victory over the Golden State Warriors.

"Achieving a 10-0 record is no small feat; it's a magical milestone," Atkinson remarked. "I had my concerns heading into tonight’s game knowing the Warriors are defending champions, yet I was blown away by how prepared and hungry our team was."

The Cavaliers showcased their firepower as Darius Garland netted 27 points and Evan Mobley added 23, becoming the first NBA team to not only win their first ten games but also score a minimum of 110 points in each of those games. This feat has not been accomplished since the 2015-16 Warriors, who had set a record of their own that season.

Atkinson's rapid implementation of a high-tempo offensive strategy has revolutionized a Cleveland team that now leads the league in scoring at an astounding 124.5 points per game, combined with a .526 shooting percentage from the field. This marks a significant improvement over last season when the Cavaliers averaged 112.6 points and shot just under 48 percent under former coach J.B. Bickerstaff, who is now at the helm in Detroit.

The primary shift has been the hiring of Atkinson, who spent three pivotal years with the Warriors under Steve Kerr. Kerr praised the transition, stating, "Kenny is a perfect match for this team. They were already strong last year, and he’s just added that extra touch to elevate them."

The Cavaliers’ depth has proven instrumental in their record start, as ten players are seeing at least 15 minutes of playing time without any single player exceeding 30 minutes. This has cultivated a sharing and selfless style of play, particularly displayed by star guards Donovan Mitchell and Darius Garland, allowing players like backup guard Ty Jerome, who scored a season-high 20 points against the Warriors, to thrive.

“We're playing an energetic style and enjoying ourselves out there,” Jerome explained. “Everyone contributes, and it helps that Donovan and Darius are so selfless.”

The Cavaliers had a jaw-dropping 41-point lead at halftime, matching the eighth-largest halftime advantage in the NBA's shot clock era and tying the franchise's record for points in a single half. Yet, despite their commanding presence, players emphasized they believe there's more to come from this squad.

Cleveland has maintained higher shooting percentages than their opponents in every game, but has only secured the rebounding edge four times and committed 19 turnovers, which the Warriors converted into 30 points. Center Jarrett Allen added, "We still have areas we need to improve on, which is encouraging because it means we can get even better. With Kenny as our coach, we trust that we are headed in the right direction."

As the Cavaliers continue to look ahead, their remarkable beginning has positioned them not just as a contender, but as a team to watch closely in the postseason race. Keep your eyes peeled—will they maintain this momentum as they chase history?