Celtics Coach Joe Mazzulla Wins First NBA Coach of the Year Award

NEW YORK (CNA) - Boston Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla was named NBA Coach of the Year for the first time today. Despite star player Jayson Tatum only returning on March 6, Mazzulla led the Celtics to the second seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs. According to Reuters and AFP, Mazzulla received 62 first-place votes, 24 second-place votes, and 10 third-place votes, totaling 392 points to take the top spot. Detroit Pistons head coach J.B. Bickerstaff finished second with 312 points, and San Antonio Spurs head coach Mitch Johnson placed third with 133 points. Mazzulla told NBC, "At the end of the day, no matter what happens in the offseason or what adjustments might be needed, the primary goal is always to win a championship and stick to the process. This is all thanks to the players and the efforts of the entire organization." Tatum was sidelined with an Achilles injury last year and returned this March. Despite this, Mazzulla led the Celtics to a 56-26 record, ranking second in the East. The Celtics later lost to the Philadelphia 76ers in a critical Game 7 of the first round of the playoffs. In his four seasons as coach, the Celtics have won at least 56 games each season, and they won their 18th championship in 2024. Mazzulla is the first Celtics coach to win the award since Bill Fitch in 1980 and the fourth in franchise history. At 37, Mazzulla is also the youngest winner since Phil Johnson won at age 33 in 1975.