San Antonio Spurs Coach Mitch Johnson Headlines February Honors as Cavaliers’ Kenny Atkinson Claims East Award
The NBA’s February coaching honors belong to two red-hot teams and two leaders who have their squads surging at the perfect time. San Antonio Spurs head coach Mitch Johnson was named Western Conference Coach of the Month after guiding his team to a flawless 11-0 record, while Cleveland Cavaliers head coach Kenny Atkinson earned the Eastern Conference award following an impressive 8-3 stretch.
For Johnson, the recognition highlights a remarkable rise in his young head coaching career. For Atkinson, it further strengthens his growing legacy in Cleveland.
Johnson’s Perfect February Lifts Spurs
San Antonio didn’t just perform well in February — they dominated.
Despite playing only three games at home during the month, the Spurs rolled through the schedule unbeaten, finishing 11-0. It marked the franchise’s longest winning streak since their 13-game run during the 2015–16 season and stood as the best record in the league for February.
At 39 years old, Johnson continues to prove he belongs in the spotlight. After stepping into the role under challenging circumstances following Gregg Popovich’s departure, Johnson has steadily built a confident, disciplined unit that is now one of the league’s most dangerous teams.
One of the Spurs’ standout victories came on February 23, when they defeated the East-leading Detroit Pistons 114-103 on the road. The performance further reinforced the belief that San Antonio’s rise is no fluke.
The team’s success has been fueled by elite individual performances as well. Rookie Dylan Harper captured Western Conference Rookie of the Month honors, while Victor Wembanyama added Western Conference Defensive Player of the Month and overall Western Conference Player of the Month awards to his résumé.
With young stars thriving and the locker room fully behind its coach, Johnson’s Spurs are building serious momentum heading into the final stretch of the season.
Atkinson’s Cavaliers Rolling in the East
Over in the Eastern Conference, Kenny Atkinson’s Cavaliers also made a powerful statement in February.
Cleveland finished the month 8-3, tying for the third-best record in the conference. From February 1 through February 20, the Cavaliers strung together seven straight wins, including five consecutive road victories — their longest run of the season.
The addition of James Harden has provided the team with another offensive weapon and veteran leadership, and Atkinson has successfully blended his new star into an already talented roster.
Defensively, the Cavaliers were among the league’s best in February. They ranked fourth in opponent three-point percentage and sixth in opponent field goal percentage. Cleveland held opponents under 100 points three times and recorded three of their four lowest opponent scoring totals of the season during the month.
On the offensive end, the Cavaliers ranked third in assists per game and fourth in three-point percentage. They led the Eastern Conference in both points per game and field goal percentage. Cleveland produced three games with at least 130 points and outscored opponents by an average of 10.9 points across February.
The award marks the third Coach of the Month honor of Atkinson’s career, all earned with Cleveland. He now joins Mike Brown and the late Lenny Wilkens as the only coaches in franchise history to win the award three or more times.
Momentum Building for Both Franchises
February showcased two teams peaking at the right moment.
In San Antonio, Johnson’s perfect month signals that the Spurs are accelerating their rise in the Western Conference. In Cleveland, Atkinson’s leadership has positioned the Cavaliers as one of the East’s most balanced and dangerous contenders.
With playoff positioning tightening and confidence soaring, both coaches have set the tone for what could be defining runs to close out the season.