The Atlanta Hawks' Mike Budenholzer and the Golden State Warriors' Steve Kerr today were named the NBA Eastern and Western Conference Coaches of the Month, respectively, for games played in January.
Budenholzer coached the Hawks to the best undefeated record in a calendar month in NBA history (17-0) and led them to the best mark in the NBA for the second consecutive month (December, 14-2). The Hawks ranked second in the league in point differential (+11.9) and field goal percentage (.481) in January.
Kerr guided the Warriors to the best January record in the West at 12-3. Golden State led the NBA in scoring (116.2 ppg), field goal percentage (.485) and point differential (+14.0). The Warriors went 10-1 at Oracle Arena, improving their home record to a league-best 22-2 for the season.
Other nominees for Coach of the Month were Charlotte's Steve Clifford, Cleveland's David Blatt, Detroit's Stan Van Gundy, Houston's Kevin McHale, Los Angeles Clippers' Doc Rivers, Memphis' Dave Joerger, Phoenix's Jeff Hornacek, and San Antonio's Gregg Popovich.