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.

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.

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.