National Basketball Association

Brad Stevens, Doc Rivers voted NBA Coaches of the Month

Published Apr. 16, 2015 11:54 p.m. ET

foxsports

By Zack Cox

The Boston Celtics’ present and former coaches both have been recognized for their respective teams’ success in the month of April.

Celtics coach Brad Stevens and Los Angeles Clippers coach Doc Rivers were announced Thursday as the NBA’s Coaches of the Month for the Eastern and Western Conference, respectively.

It’s the first time Stevens, now in his second year on Boston’s bench, has won the award. He led the Celtics to a 7-1 record in April, a mark that allowed them to secure the No. 7 seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs.

The postseason will be another first for Stevens, who will be tasked with finding a way to contain LeBron James in Boston’s first-round matchup with the Cleveland Cavaliers.

“I think as a coach, you look forward to participating in events like the playoffs,” the former Butler coach told reporters before Wednesday’s105-100 win over the Milwaukee Bucks. “I think as a college coach, the one kind of outside force that drives you every single minute of every single day was the NCAA Tournament, and I think it’s the same way when you’re a professional coach or a professional athlete. To get a chance to participate in the playoffs, to get a chance to play against the best — we’re getting a chance right out of the gate to do both.”

Rivers’ Clippers, meanwhile, have yet to lose in April, ending their regular season on a seven-game win streak to lock up the No. 3 seed in the West. They’ll face the San Antonio Spurs in the opening round.

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