Donovan Mitchell reveals the moment he knew the Cavaliers’ season would be special

The Cleveland Cavaliers are undoubtedly one of the best teams in the NBA. Throughout the season, they have shown impressive consistency. That level of performance did not come by chance, Donovan Mitchell has been a key factor in their success. Since his arrival, the team has qualified for the playoffs every year. Especially this season, Mitchell is performing at an enviable level. However, he chose not to focus on his own accomplishments. Instead, he shared the moment he realized this would be a special season for the Cavaliers.

“When we beat Golden State at home after being up 40… And then the West road trip going 4-0. Denver, Golden State, [Los Angeles] Lakers, Dallas. We beat Denver. We’re handling business. It’s close games. It’s blowouts. It’s so many different ways to win. It’s come-from-behind. That’s when I was like, ‘Okay, we got something special for sure,” stated Donovan Mitchell.

Although that game was crucial for their NBA season, Donovan Mitchell did not have his best scoring performance as he finished with just 12 points. However, that moment changed everything for the team. It gave them the confidence to play at the level they’ve shown ever since. Moreover, Mitchell’s strong form has fueled their recent success. He leads the franchise in scoring average and remains one of the main reasons behind this excellent stretch.

Donovan Mitchell stood out as the team’s most impactful player in Game 1 of the playoffs. He delivered 30 points, 5 rebounds, and 4 assists. Statistically, he was the top performer on the court. Even so, he did not dwell on the individual praise. Instead, he emphasized the value of teammates like Evan Mobley, Darius Garland, and Max Strus. He also credited head coach Kenny Atkinson for playing a key role in the team’s development.

Head coach Kenny Atkinson of the Cleveland Cavaliers yells to his players during the fourth quarter against the New York Knicks at Rocket Arena on April 02, 2025 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Cavaliers defeated the Knicks 124-105.

Cavaliers head coach Kenny Atkinson receives a major award for his NBA season

Kenny Atkinson received the NBCA Coach of the Year award. Coaches like JJ Redick, Mark Daigneault, and Joe Mazzulla also had incredible seasons. However, Atkinson stood out for one key reason, his ability to transform his team. He reinvented the roster and built one of the most efficient squads in the league. Evan Mobley led the defense with a Defensive Player of the Year-level impact.

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Cleveland did not dominate only on defense. The Cavaliers also lead the NBA in offensive rating (121.0), points per game (121.9), and true shooting percentage (60.7). Their balance on both ends of the court has made them one of the most dangerous teams this season. Despite he received the NBCA Award, this is not the official NBA Coach of the Year award. That honor will be announced later and remains up for grabs. But if the Cavaliers win the championship, Atkinson will have a strong case to take it home.