Boston Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla was named as one of the three finalists for the 2025-26 NBA Coach of the Year award. Mazzulla joins Detroit Pistons coach J.B. Bickerstaff and San Antonio Spurs coach Mitch Johnson, with the result being announced at a future date.
Mazzulla was Coach of the Year finalist in 2022-23 and is a former NBA Champion. Given the complexities involved in coaching modern NBA rosters, it might be reductive to condense a season's worth of coaching into a singular award, but it is an NBA tradition. The award has been handed out every season since 1962-63.
Nonetheless, Celtics' Mazzulla spoke to the media after practice on Monday and suggested a change to the name of the award to better appreciate the people who deserve to be recognized with an award like this.
“If it were Staff of the Year, it's different, if it were Organization of the Year. But at the end of the day, I haven't made one basket all year. Our staff hasn't made a basket. We haven't gotten a block. We haven't run back on defense. We didn't play in a back-to-back. We didn't have to play hurt. We haven't really done s---."
"So, if you don't have the guys to be able to put you in position, it doesn't really matter. I’m just grateful. The greatest gift I have is I get to coach a bunch of guys who care about winning and being a part of the culture that we have.”
Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-Imagn Images
The Celtics went 56-26 over the regular season. Given the team won over 60 games in the last two seasons, a dip in their win total would normally mean the coach wouldn't get recognized. However, Mazzulla led the Celtics to this season while missing the franchise player, Jayson Tatum, for most of the season due to an Achilles tear.
Mazzulla and the Celtics staff are being recognized because of the low preseason expectations for the franchise. They've outperformed those expectations tremendously, so this nomination is to acknowledge the amazing job done by the Boston coaching staff this year.
The Celtics are focused on the postseason, currently holding a 1-0 series lead over the Philadelphia 76ers in Game 1 of their first-round matchup. Game 2 at Boston's TD Garden will be played on Tuesday, April 21.
