Joe Mazzulla wins NBA Coach of the Year 2025-26: “The process is everything”

Joe Mazzulla, head coach of the Boston Celtics, closed out this year’s NBA awards season with one of its biggest honors: he has officially been named NBA Coach of the Year 2025-26.

Dominant victory

The voting reflected complete dominance: 62 first-place votes out of 100 and appearances on 96 of the 100 ballots. Finishing behind him were J.B. Bickerstaff of the Detroit Pistons in second place (for the second straight year) and Mitch Johnson of the San Antonio Spurs in third.

Mazzulla led Boston to 56 wins and the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference, a significant accomplishment considering one major factor: the extended absence of Jayson Tatum, who missed a large portion of the season after suffering a torn Achilles tendon.

It means everything to me. The long nights, the travel, the film sessions, and the work from the staff… there’s so much behind a single win. It all starts with the players, but our staff is essential. They’re the real engine

Joe Mazzulla

One of the defining aspects of Mazzulla’s philosophy is his emphasis on consistency and everyday discipline.

At the end of the day, regardless of what happens during the offseason or any future moves, the journey toward a championship is the No. 1 goal. Staying committed to that process is everything

Joe Mazzulla

And he continued:

During our first meetings of the season, we made it clear that we would focus on the process of winning without getting distracted by outside noise. The guys stayed committed to that every single day, with the desire to constantly improve

Joe Mazzulla

A historic mark for age and consistency

At just 38 years old (he turns 39 on June 30), Mazzulla becomes the youngest winner of the award since 1975, when Phil Johnson received the same honor.

His impact on the franchise has become increasingly evident:

• 238 wins and 90 losses across four seasons
• Best NBA record over that span
• NBA championship won in 2024

Mazzulla also enters Celtics history, becoming only the fourth head coach in franchise history to win Coach of the Year, joining:

• Bill Fitch
• Tommy Heinsohn
• Red Auerbach

A path that further establishes him as one of the most influential coaches of the new generation.

The complete NBA Awards 2025-26 picture

With this recognition, the NBA awards season officially comes to an end:

• MVP: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
• DPOY: Victor Wembanyama
• MIP: Nickeil Alexander-Walker
• Sixth Man: Keldon Johnson
• Rookie of the Year: Cooper Flagg

Awards tell part of a season’s story, but never the entire thing. From here on out, only the game itself remains – the one thing nobody votes on, but that decides everything.