NBA Coach of the Year 2025–26 Season: Mark Daigneault Falls As Mitch Johnson-Led Spurs Emerge As Contenders (Dec. 29)

With the calendar year coming to a close, this marks the final edition of our NBA Coach of the Year power rankings before year’s end, and it does not arrive quietly. For the first time since Week 1, a new coach is sitting at No. 1.

So who leads this week’s list? Here’s how the top five shake out.

NBA Coach of the Year Power Rankings

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

There’s movement throughout the rankings, but Joe Mazzulla remains steady at No. 5. Boston wrapped up December with a 4-1 record over its last five games and has a chance to get back in the win column to close out the year Tuesday against the Jazz.

The Celtics continue to operate as one of the league’s elite 3-point shooting teams, ranking top three in both makes and attempts and sitting No. 10 in efficiency and committing the fewest turnovers per game.

Currently third in the Eastern Conference, Boston has a strong chance to secure home-court advantage in the playoffs, a credit to Mazzulla’s championship-proven system.

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#4. Mike Brown (Last week’s ranking: #4)

Like Mazzulla, Mike Brown holds firm at No. 4 this week. After leading the New York Knicks to the 2025 Emirates NBA Cup title, his team has continued to look formidable, earning wins over the Cleveland Cavaliers and Atlanta Hawks.

The Knicks have maintained their grip on the No. 2 spot in the East and entered Monday’s slate just 1.5 games behind the Detroit Pistons for first place.

Much like Boston, New York has been prolific from the perimeter. The Knicks rank No. 10 in field-goal percentage and are even stronger from deep, sitting fourth in both 3-pointers made and 3-point percentage.

Their bench is beginning to carve out an identity, led by Mitchell Robinson’s offensive rebounding, which has pushed the Knicks to fourth in offensive rebounding and third overall. Jordan Clarkson’s scoring punch and Tyler Kolek’s all-around guard play have also been key contributors.

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

JB Bickerstaff slides down to No. 3 this week. Detroit is currently riding a two-game skid, with losses coming on a Keyonte George game-winner against the Jazz and a blowout defeat at the hands of the veteran-laden LA Clippers.

Despite the dip, Bickerstaff has still done enough to remain in the top three. However, December has exposed some cracks. The Pistons have already suffered four losses this month, matching their total from October through November combined.

Those setbacks have highlighted areas of concern, particularly the need for stronger guard play, improved shot creation, and defensive consistency, factors that could ultimately define Bickerstaff’s candidacy as the season progresses.

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

Mark Daigneault drops to No. 2 after holding the top spot in every previous edition of these rankings. His OKC Thunder endured their toughest stretch of the season, losing four games in a 12-day span, including three defeats to the San Antonio Spurs.

While the Thunder remain championship favorites, a key part of Daigneault’s case hinged on OKC’s potential to reach 70 wins, a goal that now appears unlikely following the recent slump.

Still, Daigneault deserves recognition for keeping the Thunder firmly in contender status despite injuries. Interestingly, the team has often performed better without its full starting lineup than with it, a trend worth monitoring both for OKC’s future and these rankings.

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

Welcome to the top spot, Mitch Johnson.

When OKC looked untouchable early in the season, Johnson’s Spurs emerged as their kryptonite. Beyond those three statement wins, San Antonio has climbed to No. 2 in the Western Conference standings, positioning itself ahead of preseason title favorites Denver and Houston.

With Victor Wembanyama back in the lineup and a strong finish to the year, the Spurs are beginning to look like a team on the verge of returning to playoff contention for the first time since the 2018-19 season.

Edited by John Ezekiel Hirro