Cavs’ Kenny Atkinson vents frustration with officials following Friday night’s loss to Phoenix Suns

PHOENIX — There was a number that led to the Cavs’ collective anger on Friday night.

One.

As in the number of free throws Cleveland attempted through the first three quarters of a streak-snapping 126-113 loss to the Phoenix Suns. As the game progressed, Cavs coach Kenny Atkinson kept holding one finger in the air to let the officials know.

That’s all he was thinking when he unleashed his frustration at the 10:59 mark of the fourth quarter, earning his second technical foul and an ejection with his team trailing by 24 points.

“We had one free throw after three quarters against a team that [is 26th in fouls],” Atkinson said following the loss. “And 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.

“Certain characters in this league take liberties and we don’t stand up to them and the game turns into reviews, challenges, go to the monitor for 20 minutes when we’re just trying to play basketball. I don’t think it’s good for the league and I know it wasn’t good for us tonight. Thought they let the game get out of hand.”

Atkinson’s first T came much earlier — with about four minutes remaining in the first quarter, as he became irate over how the game was being officiated.

Even after being pulled away from the officiating crew — Mitchell Ervin, Nate Green and Michael Smith — Atkinson implored the trio to call the game the same at both ends.

According to Atkinson, that didn’t happen.

“I sensed it early,” Atkinson explained. “I got an early technical to try to slow it down. Shocked. One free throw after three quarters as aggressive as they were playing, we knew they were going to play super physical, but you have to blow your whistle, and you have to be fair about it.”

The Cavs committed eight turnovers in the first quarter. Then had eight more miscues in the second quarter. By the end of a mistake-filled night, Cleveland coughed the ball up 22 times, the most in any game this season.

“Some of it was a lack of focus. Some of it was their pressure. Some of it was their fouling,” Atkinson said. “It was a mix of everything.”

Atkinson finally reached his breaking point early in the fourth quarter.

Miffed about a no-call as Sam Merrill attempted to drive against Suns pest Collin Gillespie, Atkinson angrily stomped onto the court, bumped into one of the referees, shouted in his face and got tossed, escorted to the locker room by team security.

“Sam dribbles the ball by Gillespie, and he has two hands on him. In basketball, you’re supposed to move your feet to stay in front,” Atkinson quipped. “Is what it is. All that being said, they were the better team and played much better.”

So, what about the bump with the official?

“I think that was incidental,” Atkinson said when asked. “There was no intention. I think we touched. I wouldn’t say bumped. I’d argue with you on that.”

In what was an emotional game, with jawing back and forth, multiple reviews for hostile acts and a brief dust-up between Phoenix villain Dillon Brooks and Cleveland youngster Nae’Qwan Tomlin, the Cavs finished with four technicals.

Two from Atkinson. One apiece issued to Donovan Mitchell and reserve swingman De’Andre Hunter.

A typically mild-mannered Mitchell admitted after the game that he nearly lost his cool again at one point in the second half and came close to being ejected.

“I’m trying to say this without losing money here,” Mitchell said. “I agree with my head coach. It’s a credit to [the Suns]. We didn’t really have it. 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. I want to make it known that I’m not using it as an excuse. They did their part and we didn’t.”

“I don’t really like talking about referees,” Hunter added. “That’s out of our control. They’re going to make calls. I feel like they were talking a lot and I said one thing and got a tech. 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.”

In all, during a game where the refs mostly swallowed the whistle and allowed plenty of contact both ways, the Cavs were called for 17 fouls while the Suns were whistled for 19 — both teams committing fewer than their season averages.

Cleveland ended with 11 total free-throws attempts — but only two when the game was still sort of being decided. The Suns shot 18 freebies.

“Just try to match the physicality,” Hunter said. “It’s difficult when it’s not … never mind. Just try to match the physicality. That’s all.”

In many respects, Atkinson expected this when he entered Mortgage Matchup Center Friday night.

A little more than an hour before tipoff, Atkinson raved about the Suns’ pesky, rugged play style.

He even went as far as to label Phoenix the “hardest playing team in the NBA,” crediting his protégé and former Cleveland assistant Jordan Ott who took over as Phoenix head coach this past summer. Atkinson, who also singled out Brooks as the Suns’ spark, said if the Cavs didn’t come out ready, with the requisite juice, it could be a long night.

It certainly was.

In Atkinson’s case, about 11 minutes shorter than it could’ve been.