Boston Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla has been named the 2025-26 NBA Coach of the Year, claiming the award despite the Celtics failing to advance past the first round of the playoffs.

Mazzulla guided Boston to a 56-26 record and a second-place finish in the Eastern Conference, achieving this without franchise player Jayson Tatum for the majority of the season.

The Celtics were ultimately eliminated in seven games by the Philadelphia 76ers in the first round, but the regular season performance proved enough to earn Mazzulla the prestigious individual honour.

At just 37 years old, Mazzulla has now been a head coach for four seasons and has collected both an NBA title and a Coach of the Year award during that time.

Mazzulla becomes the first Boston Celtics coach to win the award since Bill Fitch claimed it in the 1979-80 season, the first year of the three-point era.

The award caps off a remarkable campaign for Mazzulla, who kept the Celtics competitive at the highest level despite navigating a roster depleted by the prolonged absence of Tatum.

Previous winners of the award in recent seasons include Kenny Atkinson of the Cleveland Cavaliers, who won in 2024-25, and Mark Daigneault of the Oklahoma City Thunder, who won in 2023-24.

Mike Brown of the Sacramento Kings claimed the honour in 2022-23, while Monty Williams of the Phoenix Suns took it the season prior in 2021-22.

Tom Thibodeau won the award twice, first with the Chicago Bulls in 2010-11 and then again with the New York Knicks in 2020-21, highlighting his enduring ability to maximise team performance.

Gregg Popovich is among the most decorated winners in the history of the award, having claimed it with the San Antonio Spurs in 2002-03, 2011-12, and 2013-14 across his storied coaching career.

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