Monty Williams of the Phoenix Suns will coach Team LeBron James at next month’s All-Star Game in Cleveland.
The Suns’ 115-110 win against the San Antonio Spurs on Sunday night — their 10th straight — pushed their record to an NBA-best 40-9, meaning no other team in the West can pass them by Feb. 6, the cutoff for All-Star Game consideration.
As a result, Williams, the third-year Suns coach, will coach in the All-Star Game for the first time, and the rest of his staff will join him there. He’ll be the first head coach from Phoenix at the All-Star Game since Mike D’Antoni in 2007.
Which Eastern Conference coach leads Team Kevin Durant is still up for grabs. The Miami Heat currently lead the Chicago Bulls by a half-game atop the standings. The Philadelphia 76ers are 1.5 games back, but Doc Rivers is ineligible since he coached in the All-Star Game last season.
Starters for the Feb. 20 showcase were announced Thursday. James and Durant were selected as captains after leading the fan vote.
The All-Star reserves, who will be selected by the coaches in both conferences, will be unveiled Thursday on TNT. James and Durant then will pick their respective teams, a format the league first instituted in 2018.