Golden State Warriors Head Coach Steve Kerr has been named NBA Western Conference Coach of the Month for January, the NBA announced today. Kerr led the Warriors to a Western Conference-best 12-3 record during the month, becoming the first Warriors head coach to win Coach of the Month honors since Don Nelson in April 2007 and joining Nelson (April 2007 & February 1989) and George Karl (March 1987) as the only coaches in Warriors history to receive the monthly accolade (the NBA began giving out the award in 1982-83).
Golden State began the month with six consecutive victories and won 11 of its first 12 games in 2015, giving the team 11 wins in three consecutive months for just the second time in franchise history (1961-62). The Warriors, who led the league in scoring (116.2 points), field goal percentage (.485) and point differential (+14.0), won 12 games in the month of January for the first time since 1975-76 (12-4). The month also saw the Warriors extend their franchise-record home winning streak to 19 games (Nov. 13 – Jan. 25), winning an NBA-record 11-straight home games by at least 13 points (Dec. 22 – Jan. 23).
The Warriors are off to their best start through 45 games in franchise history (37-8, .822), making Kerr one of only two head coaches ever to begin his NBA career with at least 37 wins through 45 games (along with Al Cervi, who did so as player/coach of the Syracuse Nationals in 1949-50). Golden State leads the league in both field goal percentage (.483) and opponent field goal percentage (.421)—a feat last accomplished over the course of a full season by the 1980-81 Philadelphia 76ers—while also leading the NBA in points per game (110.8), assists per game (27.2) and point differential (+11.2).
Atlanta Hawks Head Coach Mike Budenholzer earned the honor in the Eastern Conference.