The NBA has confirmed that Oklahoma City Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault will serve as the head coach of the Western Conference for the 2025 NBA All-Star Game. The coach booked his first-ever All-Star appearance after defeating the Brooklyn Nets 127-101 tonight for a 35-7 record on the season.
"With tonight's victory, Oklahoma City Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault has earned a spot to coach one of the four teams in the 2025 NBA All-Star Game."
OKC's record is mathematically out of reach for Ime Udoka and the Houston Rockets from grabbing the best record in the West in-time for the All-Star selections to be finalized. Since the coaches of the team's with the best record are nominated to the All-Star game without fans, players, or media voting, Daigneault's spot is secured.
Kenny Atkinson of the Cleveland Cavaliers is bound to become the Eastern Conference's head coach tomorrow if the Cavs beat the Phoenix Suns. If the Cavs lose, they'll need the Boston Celtics to drop their game against the Golden State Warriors to secure the spot tomorrow, but any Cavs win or Celtics loss after that point would confirm Atkinson's spot.
Daigneault and Atkinson have matched up twice this season, with their opposing Conference teams having played both their scheduled games of the season. They split both games, with Atkinson's Cavaliers winning the first encounter 129-122 in a highly-acclaimed game with 30 lead changes. Daigneault got his win back earlier this week in a dominant 134-114 win over the Cavaliers.
Doc Rivers for the East and Minnesota Timberwolves head coach Chris Finch for the West. Rivers inherited the spot from the fired Adrian Griffin who coached the Bucks to the second-best record in the East at the time, with actual nominee Joe Mazzulla of the Celtics electing to not participate.
Amongst the players, Nikola Jokic is leading all vote-getters with players like Giannis Antetokounmpo closely following him. Legends like Kevin Durant, LeBron James, and Stephen Curry are expected to return to the game as well.
Daigneault will likely coach his own point guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who is a leading candidate for MVP this season and leading fan votes for guards in the West. Thunder forward Jalen Williams is also considered a contender but will have to rely on players and coaches voting him in as a reserve as he's not even close to making it as a starter.
