PHOENIX – From coworkers to rivals, Phoenix Suns coach Jordan Ott and Cleveland Cavaliers coach Kenny Atkinson have quite the history coaching alongside – and now against – one another.
In a Friday night matchup that saw the Suns take down the visiting Cavaliers 126-113, more was at stake for two old friends standing across from one another on the sideline.
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Before taking over the Suns’ head coaching position in the 2025 offseason, Ott served as the top assistant on Atkinson’s staff in Cleveland for the 2024-25 season – though this was not the first time the two had worked together.
Ott was also an assistant on Atkinson’s staff in Brooklyn from 2016 to 2020, and during that time, the two built a strong relationship, both professionally and personally.
“There isn’t someone who has impacted my professional life more than (Atkinson),” Ott said. “I was fortunate to be on his first staff in Brooklyn. … To be apart for four years and then to come back together … that was really impactful for me.”
Ott’s NBA coaching career began under Atkinson in Brooklyn, but after Atkinson was fired by the team in 2020, Ott stayed on the Nets’ staff until 2022, coaching under Jacque Vaughn and Suns legend Steve Nash. After leaving the Nets, Ott joined the Los Angeles Lakers as an assistant under Darvin Ham, though after just two seasons there, he and Atkinson reunited in Cleveland in 2024.
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Prior to Friday’s game, Atkinson reciprocated Ott’s high praise, though made it clear that competitive edge outweighs any personal relationship the two have.
“I want to kick his ass,” Atkinson said jokingly. “He’s a friend, but there are no friends on the court. … But he’s a heck of a competitor.”
Atkinson’s fiery competitiveness remained on display throughout the course of the contest and ultimately led to his ejection from the game at the start of the fourth quarter after receiving a second technical foul.
Jan 30, 2026; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers head coach Kenny Atkinson reacts after being ejected from the game against the Phoenix Suns in the second half at Mortgage Matchup Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
The Suns would go on to win the game in dominating fashion, despite playing without superstar Devin Booker, who is sidelined with a right ankle sprain. Phoenix was led primarily by breakout forward Dillon Brooks, who netted a game-high 27 points.
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The Suns also poured in a team season-high 23 3-pointers on 48% shooting from outside. On the other end, Phoenix shined defensively, forcing a Cavaliers season-high 22 turnovers.
The scrapiness and aggressiveness shown this season by the Suns was another element of this game that impressed Atkinson, giving Ott credit for orchestrating that change.
“Jordan’s done an amazing job.” Atkinson said. “I think they’re the hardest playing team in the league. That’s just what I see, bar none. They play harder than anybody. That’s why they’re having a great season.”
After falling to the Cavs earlier this season, Jordan Ott got revenge against an old friend Friday night. Though it was strictly competition between the two on the court, their long history has allowed their relationship to stretch far beyond the game of basketball.
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“On a personal level, we have a great friendship.” Atkinson said. “Our wives are friends, our kids – the whole thing. We’ve been together so long, so that’s great.”
This article first appeared on Cronkite News and is republished here under a Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.