Calls Mount For NBA Team to Fire Coach After Stunning Result on Sunday

The Cleveland Cavaliers are on the brink of elimination from the 2025 NBA Playoffs. After getting embarrassed in a 129-109 loss in Game 4 of their second-round series against the Indiana Pacers on Sunday, the Cavs are just a defeat away from a shocking end to their otherwise stellar campaign.

The Cavs entered the playoffs with the best record in the Eastern Conference, winning 64 games in the regular season behind the coaching prowess of Kenny Atkinson. In just his first season as Cleveland's head coach, Atkinson won the 2024-25 NBA Coach of the Year Award.

But that honor did not matter to the Cavs on Sunday, as they were thoroughly outplayed by the Pacers, who led by as many as 44 points in the contest.

The Cavaliers performed so badly that many fans online voiced out their desire to see Atkinson fired from his job.

Cavaliers head coach Kenny Atkinson reacts in the first quarter against the Pacers.

David Richard-Imagn Images

"Kenny Atkinson [expletive] should return the Coach of the Year award and sit his ass at home. It's not that hard to play your key guys for 40 minutes. Fire this clown @cavs," said a fan.

That sentiment was echoed by another fan on X: “Even without Mitchell against the NBA Champions on the road JB never lost like this. Fire Kenny Atkinson.”

“Fire Kenny Atkinson,” shared another social media user.

“Fire fraud of the year Kenny Atkinson,” a different post read.

From another fan: “Can’t believe Cleveland allowed themselves to be in this hole…..fire Kenny Atkinson.”

“Dead [expletive] serious. Fire Atkinson,” a fan commented.

However, the Cavs still have a chance to pull off a come-from-behind series victory. In a 3-1 hole, Cleveland will look to extend its season on Tuesday when it hosts the Pacers in Game 5.