Rockets head coach Ime Udoka and Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle have been named the NBA’s Coaches of the Month for January for the Western Conference and Eastern Conference, respectively, the league announced today (Twitter link).
Udoka’s Rockets went 11-4 in January, registering a series of impressive victories that included road wins in Memphis, Denver, Cleveland, and Boston. The strong month improved Houston’s overall record to 32-16, which puts the team third in the Western Conference, two-and-a-half games ahead of No. 4 Denver.
It was the second time this season that Udoka has been named the West’s Coach of the Month — he also earned the honor for games played in October and November. This time around, he beat out fellow nominees Chauncey Billups (Trail Blazers), Doug Christie (Kings), Mark Daigneault (Thunder), and Tyronn Lue (Clippers), according to the NBA (Twitter link).
Meanwhile, after Cavaliers coach Kenny Atkinson claimed two straight Coach of the Month awards to open the season, Carlisle is the East’s first non-Atkinson winner in 2024/25.
Carlisle’s Pacers enjoyed a 10-2 run in January, posting a +10.4 net rating that ranked first in the conference. Their only two losses occurred in instances where they played the same team twice in a row — they dropped a Jan. 14 matchup with the Cavs after beating them two days earlier, then split their two-game series in Paris with the Spurs.
Atkinson, J.B. Bickerstaff (Pistons), Joe Mazzulla (Celtics), and Tom Thibodeau (Knicks) were the other coaches nominated in the East.
Not a big Udoka fan. Hes got too much ego for me. Have to admit he has worked his magic with Rockets. Rockets have plenty of young talent . And still plenty of upside. This team is way ahead of schedule.
Pacers seem like they have turned it around.