The Cleveland Cavaliers have been hitting their stride lately, but suffered a tough 126-113 loss to the Phoenix Suns yesterday. Unfortunately, that’s not where their setbacks ended. Today, the NBA announced a $50,000 fine on head coach Kenny Atkinson for his behavior during the game.

According to the official statement from Executive Vice President, Head of Basketball Operations James Jones, Atkinson was penalized for “aggressively pursuing, berating, and making inadvertent contact” with an official. The same incident also resulted in a technical foul (his second of the night), leading to his ejection at about 10:59 in the fourth quarter.

Atkinson received his first technical earlier, during the first quarter, for a similar reason: disputing calls with game referees Mitchell Ervin, Nate Green, and Michael Smith. During his second tech, after a no-call on Collin Gillespie’s rough defense on Sam Merrill, Atkinson stormed onto the court, bumping an official.

The night was filled with frustration for the Cavaliers, who received two other technical fouls, one each for Donovan Mitchell and De’Andre Hunter. They also shot only one free throw in the first three quarters, much to Atkinson’s chagrin.

“We had one free throw after three quarters against a team that [is 26th in fouls],” Atkinson said after the loss. “The second free throw we got was after a flop. I’m not pleased. I thought the game got out of hand, quite honestly. Parts of the game seemed circus-like, quite honestly. I don’t know if that’s what we want as a league.”

The Cavaliers coach rarely holds back when frustrated by referees, and also complained during the team’s playoff series against the Indiana Pacers last year, calling their play “excessive.” He blamed the officials for failing to hold Pacers players accountable.

Kenny Atkinson’s Cavaliers lost their five-game winning streak as the Suns’ physicality went unchecked

Head coach Kenny Atkinson wasn’t the only Cavalier who had an opinion on the officiating after the game. Both Mitchell and Hunter were irate, playing against former Cleveland assistant coach Jordan Ott’s rugged approach to defense as the Suns continued their surprisingly successful 2025-26 campaign.

“I’m trying to say this without losing money here,” the typically mild-mannered Mitchell told reporters. “It’s tough when you’re trying to drive, and you’re getting grabbed. At some point, I deserve a few calls, but I didn’t get them. When you’re about to do certain things, it changes the course of the game.”

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The Cavaliers committed 17 fouls, while the Suns had 19. While the visitors ended with 11 free throws, only two came when the game was still an open contest. On the other hand, the Suns had 18 attempts from the charity stripe.

Mitchell credited the Suns for taking full advantage of every opportunity, adding that they did their part in securing the win at home. He made it clear, though, that he wasn’t using the officiating setbacks as an “excuse.” Meanwhile, Hunter expressed a similar sentiment.

“I feel like they were talking a lot, and I said one thing and got a tech,” Hunter said. “I’m not sure what triggered me getting a tech. I’m a guy who usually doesn’t say much, but I feel like me just saying something one time and getting a tech is crazy.”

For now, all the Cavaliers can do is regroup, regain composure, and keep turning their season around against the Portland Trail Blazers tomorrow.