NBA Coach of the Year 2025–26 Season: Celtics’ Resurgence Puts Joe Mazzulla Firmly in the Conversation (Dec. 8)

Every season, there are teams expected to be dead in the water that emerge as surprise success stories, and among them in the 2025-26 season is Joe Mazzulla’s Boston Celtics, who, as of Sunday night, climbed to third in the Eastern Conference with a five-game win streak.

So where does he rank in our latest NBA Coach of the Year power rankings?

NBA Coach of the Year Power Rankings

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#5. Mitch Johnson (Last week’s ranking: Unranked)

When Victor Wembanyama went down as the San Antonio Spurs took their fourth loss of the season, the situation looked grim. But 10 games later, they have posted a better record than they had with Wembanyama, with Mitch Johnson successfully shifting the primary role to De’Aaron Fox.

The Spurs have gone 7-3 without Wembanyama, fueled by Fox’s 26.8 points, 6.8 assists and 1.5 steals per game. Five other Spurs are averaging double figures, showing the team’s depth and offering an encouraging sign for when Wembanyama returns soon.

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#4. Joe Mazzulla (Last week’s ranking: Unranked)

Making his first appearance in these rankings is Mazzulla, who has been in consideration for the award since taking over as head coach in Boston.

He already won a championship in 2024, but he may be doing his finest work this season, as a team expected to finish near the bottom is now one of the best. With an 11-4 record in their last 15 games and a four-game win streak, the Celtics are now 14-9.

Jaylen Brown has been dazzling with 31.7 points per game, and unlikely contributors such as Neemias Queta, Jordan Walsh and Josh Minott have stepped up under Mazzulla’s leadership.

With the Celtics back in the playoff picture and the East considered wide open, their plans regarding Jayson Tatum’s recovery and return become an important storyline.

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#3. JB Bickerstaff (Last week’s ranking: #3)

JB Bickerstaff retains his top-three spot with the Pistons rebounding after their season-worst five-game stretch during which they went 2-3 following a 13-game win streak.

They have won back-to-back games and four of their last five, holding on to the No. 1 spot in the East. The Pistons remain fourth in defensive rating, a promising sign for a young team that has shown growth in just its second season under Bickerstaff.

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#2. JB Bickerstaff (Last week’s ranking: #2)

JJ Redick stays at No. 2 with the Lakers continuing to surge despite showing different versions of themselves throughout the season. With LeBron James returning, Luka Doncic being out and even both out at the same time in the past week, the Lakers still sit near the top of the West, behind only the Thunder.

How the Lakers maintain their position with the Nuggets, Rockets, Spurs and Timberwolves all within two games will shape the team’s outlook and Redick’s chances at the award. For now, Redick continues to make it work.

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#1. Mark Daigneault (Last week’s ranking: #1)

Mark Daigneault’s OKC Thunder appear headed toward a historic season, tying the franchise record with a 15-game win streak after a dominant win against the Jazz on Sunday despite several players, including Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, being out.

It is becoming repetitive at this point: they still boast the league’s best defense by a wide margin and hold the top net rating. The Thunder are on pace for 79 wins this season, and historically, the last two coaches to guide teams to 70-win seasons, Phil Jackson with the Chicago Bulls and Steve Kerr with the Golden State Warriors, both won Coach of the Year.

Again, other coaches may have strong cases, but if the Thunder make history, it will be almost impossible to overlook Daigneault for the award.