Atkinson served as head coach of the Nets from 2016 to 2020, playing a part in Brooklyn getting back to the postseason in 2019. The team was then led by D'Angelo Russell, who made

Kenny Atkinson and the Cleveland Cavaliers looked to be headed to a massive win in Game 2 of their playoff series against the Indiana Pacers. Leading by a score of 119-112 with just 47.2 seconds left in the game, the Cavaliers could taste victory. What happened next was a thing of nightmares for the city of Cleveland.

The Cavs sent three calls to the league after their Game 1 loss. Before Game 2, Kenny Atkinson went on a seven-minute rant about playoff physicality.