Denver, CO – In a well-deserved and widely celebrated moment, David Adelman, head coach of the Denver Nuggets, has officially been awarded the NBA Coach of the Year, taking home the prestigious Red Auerbach Trophy. The announcement came earlier today, confirming Adelman’s place among the NBA’s elite coaching minds after a remarkable regular season.
The award, named in honor of legendary Boston Celtics coach Red Auerbach, was determined by a panel of 100 sportswriters and broadcasters who voted on coaching performances throughout the 2024–2025 NBA regular season. Adelman emerged as the clear favorite, receiving the majority of first-place votes — a testament to his leadership, strategic brilliance, and the resilience of his team.
A Year of Excellence and Leadership
Stepping fully into the spotlight as the Nuggets’ head coach, Adelman took on the daunting task of guiding a championship-caliber roster through a season filled with high expectations and tough competition. Not only did he rise to the challenge, he exceeded it.
Under Adelman’s leadership, the Nuggets:
•Finished with one of the top records in the NBA
•Ranked in the top 5 in both offensive and defensive efficiency
•Navigated key injuries while maintaining consistency and elite performance
•Developed young talent alongside veteran stars
What set Adelman apart was his ability to balance player development with championship urgency, giving role players the confidence to shine while continuing to unleash the dominance of Nikola Jokić, Jamal Murray, and others.
Player Praise and Locker Room Love
Following the announcement, Nuggets players flooded social media and post-practice interviews with praise for their coach.
“He’s the heartbeat of this team,” said Nikola Jokić. “His mind for the game is one thing, but the way he understands us as players and people — that’s what makes him special.”
Jamal Murray added:
“Coach D took a group of winners and made us hungrier. Every night, we knew we had the advantage because of his vision.”
A Historic First
This is David Adelman’s first Coach of the Year award, making it a historic personal milestone in a coaching career that has long been shaped behind the scenes. The son of legendary NBA coach Rick Adelman, David has carved out his own identity through years of assistant coaching stints and tactical contributions — particularly during the Nuggets’ 2023 NBA Championship run, where he played a pivotal assistant role.
Now as head coach, he has brought that same championship DNA into his full-time leadership.
“It’s an honor that I don’t take lightly,” Adelman said in a statement. “I share this with our incredible coaching staff, our front office, our fans, and most of all, our players. This is about more than one person — it’s about culture and commitment.”
Looking Ahead
As the Nuggets gear up for another deep postseason run, Adelman’s recognition comes at a time when momentum is high and belief in Denver’s system is stronger than ever. With his Red Auerbach Trophy in hand, Adelman now turns his full attention to chasing back-to-back championships — and perhaps, building a dynasty.
Congratulations to Coach David Adelman — the 2025 NBA Coach of the Year.
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