NBA Coach of the Year 2025–26 Season: Mitch Johnson Ascends As Spurs Ride NBA Cup Momentum (Dec. 15)

The NBA Cup has arrived in Las Vegas, with the San Antonio Spurs and New York Knicks set to meet in the championship game. Beyond the upsets and storylines created by the in-season tournament, the event has also shaken up several major award races.

How has it affected our latest NBA Coach of the Year power rankings?

NBA Coach of the Year Power Rankings

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

Joe Mazzulla earns a second consecutive appearance in these rankings, as the Boston Celtics continue to look like a locked-in playoff team and would currently hold home-court advantage, sitting third in the Eastern Conference if the regular season ended today.

Boston has dropped only three of its last 13 games. Over that stretch, the Celtics boast the league’s No. 1 offensive rating, fueled by a high-powered attack that shoots 40.1% from beyond the arc, third-best in the NBA, while attempting the second-most 3-pointers per game at 42.8.

They also rank first in fewest turnovers per game, and the Celtics’ championship DNA remains evident regardless of the names on the back of the jerseys.

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#4. JJ Redick (Last week’s ranking: #2)

The Lakers are 2-2 over their last four games, with narrow victories over the Philadelphia 76ers and Phoenix Suns. However, a 132-119 loss to the San Antonio Spurs in the NBA Cup delivered a significant blow, contributing to JJ Redick’s slide to No. 4.

Still, Redick deserves recognition for navigating roster challenges, as Austin Reaves is now sidelined after LeBron James’ return, forcing adjustments with the team’s second-leading scorer out of action.

The final three games of the Lakers’ ongoing four-game road trip will serve as a major test for Redick and his group.

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

This week’s biggest mover is Mitch Johnson. When Victor Wembanyama went down and the San Antonio Spurs suffered their fourth loss of the season, the outlook appeared bleak. Instead, the Spurs have only grown tougher.

With Wembanyama back, San Antonio became just the second team this season to defeat the OKC Thunder, knocking them out of the NBA Cup.

The Spurs now look like legitimate contenders not only for the NBA Cup title but also in the crowded Western Conference. Tied with the Lakers at 18-7, San Antonio may be beginning to tap into its full potential after thriving during Wembanyama’s absence.

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

JB Bickerstaff climbs to No. 2 as the Detroit Pistons continue to put pressure on the Eastern Conference’s top seed. Detroit became just the second team this season to reach the 20-win mark, and a three-game winning streak has pushed them to 20-5.

The Pistons’ rise is largely driven by Bickerstaff’s coaching and the emergence of two ascending stars. Cade Cunningham is playing at an MVP level, averaging 26.9 points, 9.1 assists and 6.1 rebounds, while Jalen Duren is putting together an All-Star-caliber season with a career-high 18.6 ppg and 11.3 rpg.

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

Mark Daigneault’s OKC Thunder showed they are not invincible after falling to the Spurs in the NBA Cup semifinals. Still, they rattled off a franchise-record 16-game winning streak prior to that loss and sit at 24-2, keeping them on pace to challenge the NBA’s all-time wins record.

With the Thunder’s weaknesses exposed on a national stage, it will be intriguing to see how they respond as they continue their pursuit of history. For now, Daigneault’s team remains the league’s most dominant, even while navigating injuries and lineup changes, all anchored by the NBA’s top-ranked defense.