Celtics head coach led team to the playoffs without key players and deflected praise to his staff and players.
Category: Sports
Boston Celtics Head Coach Joe Mazzulla has been named one of three finalists for the NBA Coach of the Year award, a recognition announced on April 19, 2026. Alongside Mazzulla, Detroit's J.B. Bickerstaff and San Antonio's Mitch Johnson are also in the running for the prestigious accolade.
All three finalists have led their teams to impressive seasons, with each securing a top-two seed in their respective conferences. The Detroit Pistons, under Bickerstaff’s leadership, have emerged as the top seed in the Eastern Conference, a remarkable turnaround from their dismal 14-68 record just two seasons ago. This year, the Pistons achieved a stunning 60-win season, marking a major turnaround.
Meanwhile, Mazzulla's Celtics have navigated a challenging season, finishing as the No. 2 seed in the East. The Celtics faced considerable adversity, playing most of the season without star player Jayson Tatum and losing several key contributors, including Kristaps Porzingis, Jrue Holiday, Al Horford, and Luke Kornet during the offseason. Many analysts had anticipated a gap year for the franchise, but Mazzulla's leadership helped the team exceed expectations.
San Antonio's Mitch Johnson also made headlines this season, guiding the Spurs to the second-best record in the league with 62 wins, a stark improvement from last year's 34-48 finish under interim coaching. Johnson's official appointment as head coach has revitalized the team, with standout performances from players like Victor Wembanyama, De'Aaron Fox, and Stephon Castle.
In discussing his candidacy for Coach of the Year, Mazzulla remained humble, calling the award "stupid" and expressing a desire to focus on team success rather than individual accolades. He remarked, "I wish to never be asked about it again," emphasizing the collective effort of his coaching staff and players in achieving the team's success.
As the season concluded, Mazzulla ended with the best odds to win the award, according to BetMGM, a reflection of the respect he has gained from peers and analysts alike. The official announcement of the Coach of the Year will take place later in the postseason, alongside other individual awards.
In addition to Mazzulla's recognition, the Celtics did not have finalists in several other major categories, including Defensive Player of the Year, Most Improved Player, and Most Valuable Player. Jaylen Brown, who had been considered a fringe candidate for the MVP award, did not make the top three. Neemias Queta, who doubled his scoring and rebounding averages this season, was also overlooked for the Most Improved Player award.
In a twist, Jayson Tatum, who missed a substantial portion of the season, was named a finalist for the Tyman-Stokes Teammate of the Year Award, alongside former Celtic Marcus Smart, now with the Los Angeles Lakers. This nomination highlights Tatum's continued influence on the team and his relationships with teammates, even during a challenging season.
Meanwhile, the NBA also announced finalists for several other individual awards, including MVP, Rookie of the Year, and Clutch Player of the Year. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of Oklahoma City, Nikola Jokic of Denver, and Victor Wembanyama of San Antonio are finalists for the MVP award, with Gilgeous-Alexander seeking to defend his title.
Wembanyama is also a finalist for the Defensive Player of the Year award, an accolade he has expressed a strong desire to win. In a recent statement, he said, "I do care deeply about it. I think that of the greats that are in the Hall of Fame, or the best of all time, they have fought and grabbed everything they could grab early on in their career." This ambition reflects Wembanyama's determination to establish his legacy early in his career.
Keldon Johnson of the Spurs is another player to watch, as he is a leading candidate for Sixth Man of the Year. Johnson has averaged 13.2 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 1.4 assists this season, playing in all 82 games and serving as an emotional leader for the Spurs. He has openly stated his goal of winning the award, asserting, "I’m very efficient, I’m a star in my role, and my team is winning. I feel like when you put those things together, why not? How can you not say I’m the Sixth Man of the Year?"
The NBA's announcement of award finalists comes at a time when teams are gearing up for the playoffs, with each finalist hoping to carry their momentum into the postseason. As the league prepares to reveal the winners for Defensive Player of the Year, Clutch Player of the Year, and Sixth Man, anticipation builds among fans and players alike.
The league's awards are set to be announced over the coming days, with the Defensive Player of the Year winner expected to be revealed on Monday, followed by the Clutch Player on Tuesday and Sixth Man on Wednesday. With the stakes high, Mazzulla and his fellow finalists closely as their achievements are celebrated during this exciting time for the NBA.
As the playoffs approach, the Celtics, Spurs, and Pistons look to build on their successful regular seasons, with Mazzulla, Bickerstaff, and Johnson at the helm, each aiming to lead their teams deep into the postseason. The culmination of their efforts will be on display as the NBA postseason begins, promising thrilling matchups and potential surprises as teams vie for the championship.