A Cavaliers veteran sent a key text message to a group thread for the team that reminded them of the job at hand. What followed was a historic win.

Kenny Atkinson didn’t need a few months, or a few weeks, or even a few games before figuring out the potential of the Cleveland Cavaliers. He needed two practices.

The Cleveland Cavaliers became the first team in the Eastern Conference to advance to the second round of the 2025 NBA playoffs with their 138-83 win over the Miami Heat. The Cavs completed their first-round sweep in dominant fashion, with a 55 point win over the Miami Heat — and yes, you read that correctly.