Hawks coach Mike Budenholzer was a nominee for the NBA’s Coach of the Month for December but lost out to the Raptors Dwane Casey in the Eastern Conference. The Suns’ Jeff Hornacek was named for the Western Conference.

Casey led the Raptors to an 8-6 record with six road wins, including victories over the Mavericks and Thunder. Budenholzer led the Hawks to a 9-5 record in December and third place in the conference.

The Pacers’ Frank Vogel and the Heat’s Erik Spoelstra were the other nominees in the East.

Hornacek led the Suns to a 10-3 record that included a five-game win streak and victories over the Mavericks, Warriors, Rockets and Clippers in the month.

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Atlanta Dream guard Allisha Gray (right) reacts with her teammate, guard Rhyne Howard, after a basket during the second half of a WNBA basketball first-round playoff game against the Indiana Fever at Gateway Center Arena on Sunday, Sept. 14, 2024, in Atlanta. 
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