Spurs’ Mitch Johnson to coach West squad at 2026 NBA All-Star Game
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San Antonio Spurs head coach Mitch Johnson will steer the Western Conference team in the Feb. 15 NBA All-Star Game in Inglewood, California, after San Antonio’s 112-103 victory over the Orlando Magic on Sunday secured the honor.
The win lifted the Spurs to 33-16, edging them ahead of the Denver Nuggets (33-17) and making Johnson ineligible rival Mark Daigneault of Oklahoma City coached last year, clearing Johnson’s path. It will be the franchise’s first All-Star coaching appearance since Hall of Famer Gregg Popovich in 2016.
“It’s an honor and humbling to be part of All-Star Weekend with the best players in this league,” Johnson said. “It reflects the work these guys have put in.”
New format selects additional coaches
Under the league’s debut “U.S. vs. the World” structure, three teams will compete. Detroit Pistons coach J.B. Bickerstaff claimed one of the benches thanks to Detroit’s East-leading record. The NBA has not yet detailed how the third team’s coach will be chosen.
Long travel day ends in milestone
Johnson’s appointment capped a hectic 24 hours. The Spurs were snowed in at Charlotte — about 11 inches fell at Charlotte Douglas International Airport — after Saturday’s loss to the Hornets. Their charter flight on Sunday was diverted to Atlanta because of a mechanical problem moments after takeoff.
“They said we were losing cabin pressure. We had to make an emergency landing,” forward Keldon Johnson recalled. “It was scary.” The team reached San Antonio roughly 4½ hours before tipoff, prompting the NBA to twice push back the start time.
Strong season for San Antonio
San Antonio’s 33-16 mark is its best through 49 games since 2016-17. The club owns 17 clutch victories, third-most in the league, and posts a 124.8 offensive rating in those moments.
All-Star starter Victor Wembanyama supplied 25 points, eight rebounds, five blocks and four steals against Orlando. “I’m so happy for him,” Wembanyama said of Johnson. “I don’t know how many coaches have done this in their first season or first-and-a-half.”
Source: ESPN
