SAN ANTONIO – San Antonio Spurs head coach Mitch Johnson has been named the Western Conference Coach of the Month for December, the NBA announced Friday.
Johnson earned his first career Coach of the Month honor after leading the Spurs to a league-best 11-3 record during the month. The stretch included a run to the Emirates NBA Cup Championship Game and a 6-1 record on the road.
The Spurs’ December schedule was highlighted by road victories over the Orlando Magic and Los Angeles Lakers, three wins against Oklahoma City, and a year-end victory over the New York Knicks.
From Dec. 8-25, the Spurs recorded an eight-game winning streak. During the first seven games of that stretch, a different player led the team in scoring each night. This marks only the second time in NBA history a team has achieved such a feat; the Spurs also hold the previous record.
San Antonio showcased significant depth throughout the month, with eight different players averaging at least 10 points. The team also proved resilient under pressure, finishing 5-1 in “clutch” games—contests decided by five points or fewer in the final five minutes.
Statistically, the Spurs were one of the most balanced teams in the league in December. They averaged 121.4 points per game while holding opponents to 115.0. San Antonio ranked fifth in the NBA in offensive rating (118.9), sixth in defensive rating (112.0), and led the league in defensive rebounding percentage at 74.3%.
Boston Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla was named the Eastern Conference Coach of the Month.