Kenny Atkinson claimed that he didn’t view his return to Brooklyn — where he was fired — with the best team in the NBA as vindication. But the competitive Atkinson came back carrying a chip on his shoulder and made his return a triumphant one.

Ben Simmons, stepping back into the Brooklyn Nets‘ starting lineup at point guard following Sunday’s Dennis Schröder trade, got off to a promising start on Monday against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Barclays Center.

It’s been nearly four years since the Brooklyn Nets fired Kenny Atkinson. He now has his eyes on a championship while leading the Cleveland Cavaliers to an NBA-best 22-4 record. Atkinson will return to Barclays Center as a head coach on Monday for the first time since his Nets tenure.