Houston Rockets head coach Ime Udoka watches during the second half of Game 6 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series against the Golden State Warriors, Friday, May 2, 2025, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vsquez) (Godofredo A. Vásquez, Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)
Houston Rockets head coach Ime Udoka took his team far beyond its expectations this year, and he’s being recognized for his contributions.
TNT to announce the winner of the 2024-25 NBA Coach of the Year during tonight's pregame coverage at 6:30pm/et (prior to Knicks/Celtics Game 1). #NBAAwardspic.twitter.com/pwo6UO5oVe
The two other finalists are Cleveland Cavaliers coach Kenny Atkinson and Detroit Pistons coach J.B. Bickerstaff. All three coaches led their teams to the NBA Playoffs.
Ahead of Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals between the Boston Celtics and the New York Knicks, the winner was announced. Atkinson was named Coach of the Year.
After missing the postseason in the 2023-24 season, Udoka led the Rockets to a 50-32 record the No. 2 seed in the highly competitive Western Conference. The Rockets’ season ended earlier than fans had hoped, though, as they were defeated by the Golden State Warriors in a seven-game series in the opening round.
Michael is a Kingwood native who loves visiting local restaurants and overreacting to Houston sports. He earned his BA from Texas A&M University in 2022 and his MA from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 2023. Michael is a credentialed media member for the Houston Rockets.