NBA Coach of the Year to be announced Tuesday night
The NBA is scheduled to announce the winner of the 2025-26 Coach of the Year award on Tuesday night. The reveal will take place prior to Game 5 of the Western Conference finals featuring the San Antonio Spurs and the Oklahoma City Thunder.
The league has named three finalists for the prestigious honor: J.B. Bickerstaff of the Detroit Pistons, Joe Mazzulla of the Boston Celtics, and Mitch Johnson of the San Antonio Spurs.
The Case for the Finalists
J.B. Bickerstaff led the Detroit Pistons to a significant regular-season milestone, securing 60 wins for the first time since 2006. Since taking over the coaching role two years ago, Bickerstaff has maintained a 104-60 regular-season record.
The Pistons recently provided Bickerstaff with a contract extension, reflecting the organization’s confidence in him and the team culture he has built. This decision followed a first-round playoff series against the Orlando Magic, where Detroit overcame a 3-1 deficit to earn their first series win since 2008, though they later fell to the Cleveland Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference semifinals.
Joe Mazzulla enters the conversation after guiding the Boston Celtics to their fifth consecutive season with 50 or more wins. This success occurred despite an overhaul during the offseason and the absence of Jayson Tatum, who missed the majority of the season while recovering from a torn Achilles.
Mazzulla has been vocal about his lack of interest in individual accolades. After winning Eastern Conference Coach of the Month in December, he stated that “nobody cares about that award.”
On March 30, Mazzulla further dismissed the possibility of winning Coach of the Year, calling it a “stupid award” and stating, “I don’t need it.” He emphasized that the credit belongs to the players and the work of the staff, requesting that he not be asked about the honor again.
Mitch Johnson is coming off his first full season as head coach after succeeding longtime coach Gregg Popovich in 2024-25. Under Johnson’s leadership, the San Antonio Spurs achieved a 62-20 regular-season record and secured their first playoff appearance since 2019.
Led by Victor Wembanyama, the Spurs are currently tied 2-2 in their Western Conference finals series against the Thunder. A victory in the series would send San Antonio to the NBA Finals to face the New York Knicks, who advanced on Monday night.
Schedule and Broadcast Details
The announcement of the Coach of the Year is set for 7:30 p.m. ET on Tuesday. This lead-up will precede the 8:30 p.m. ET tip-off of Game 5.
Fans can watch the announcement and the subsequent game between the Spurs and the Thunder on NBC and Peacock.
What Could Happen Next
If Mitch Johnson is named the winner, it may provide additional momentum for the Spurs as they fight for a spot in the NBA Finals. Conversely, a win for Bickerstaff or Mazzulla would cement their regular-season legacies regardless of their current playoff standings.
Depending on the outcome of Game 5, the Spurs and Thunder could potentially push their series to a deciding Game 7, or one team may move within one win of the championship round.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who are the finalists for the 2025-26 NBA Coach of the Year?
The finalists are J.B. Bickerstaff (Detroit Pistons), Joe Mazzulla (Boston Celtics), and Mitch Johnson (San Antonio Spurs).
When and where will the winner be announced?
The winner will be announced Tuesday night at 7:30 p.m. ET, ahead of Game 5 of the Western Conference finals, which will be broadcast on NBC and Peacock.
What was the San Antonio Spurs’ regular-season record under Mitch Johnson?
Under Mitch Johnson’s guidance, the Spurs finished the regular season with a 62-20 record.
Which of the three finalists do you believe most deserves the Coach of the Year honor based on their regular-season achievements?