NBA Coach of the Year (COY) rankings 2024-25: Week 8 NBA Cup games cause shakeup in top 5 ft. Mark Daigneault

Week 8 of the 2024-25 NBA season is officially in the books! The Emirates NBA Cup Finals are set, and the standings have shifted yet again after another thrilling week.

A familiar face in the top five has ascended to the top spot after an impressive run in the in-season tournament and a standout Week 8.

Which coach claims the No. 1 spot this week? Let’s break down the top contenders for Coach of the Year as Week 8 wraps up.

Top Five NBA Coach of the Year Candidates After Week 8

#5. Joe Mazzulla (Last week’s ranking: #3)

Let’s make one thing clear: Joe Mazzulla remains one of the league’s elite coaches despite his drop this week.

His Celtics handled business against the Detroit Pistons and Washington Wizards, securing two expected wins. They remain one of the best teams in the league.

However, their inability to advance in the Emirates NBA Cup allowed other coaches to surpass him in Week 8.

#4. Taylor Jenkins (Last week’s ranking: Unranked)

Taylor Jenkins makes his return to the rankings as the Memphis Grizzlies climb to the No. 2 seed in the competitive Western Conference.

Over the past 10 games, the Grizzlies have the league’s third-best net rating and the fourth-best defensive rating.

While they went 1-1 in Week 8, their strong recent performance earns Jenkins a well-deserved spot on this list.

#3. Kenny Atkinson (Last week’s ranking: #1)

Kenny Atkinson slides to No. 3 this week, his lowest ranking so far.

The Cavaliers only played one game in Week 8 — a 115-105 victory over the Wizards — but with other teams excelling in the NBA Cup, Atkinson was overshadowed.

Despite the drop, his Cavaliers continue to impress overall this season.

#2. Ime Udoka (Last week’s ranking: #4)

Ime Udoka climbs to the No. 2 spot after leading the Houston Rockets to the NBA Cup Western Conference semifinal, where they fell to the OKC Thunder.

In just his second year with the Rockets, Udoka has transformed them into a defensive powerhouse, boasting the league’s No. 2 defensive rating.

His young Rockets also secured a key win over the Golden State Warriors in the NBA Cup quarterfinals, a significant milestone that underscores Udoka’s impact.

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

Welcome to the top, Mark Daigneault! The reigning NBA Coach of the Year takes the No. 1 spot in Week 8 after leading the OKC Thunder to the NBA Cup Finals.

The Thunder dominated their competition, securing double-digit victories over the Dallas Mavericks and the Houston Rockets to earn their place in the championship game.

Even without Chet Holmgren for much of the season, OKC has maintained the league’s best net rating and defensive rating. Injuries have not derailed this team’s success under Daigneault’s guidance.

With the Thunder holding the No. 1 seed in the West and a chance at the NBA Cup title, Daigneault claims the top spot for the first time this season.