Cavaliers coach Kenny Atkinson has been an All-Star — that much you already knew. But now, it’s official.
Thanks to Boston’s loss to the Lakers on Thursday, Atkinson and the Cavaliers are guaranteed the best record at the cutoff date for picking an All-Star coach (Sunday, Feb. 2). So, Atkinson will be at the All-Star Game.
This marks the first time Atkinson will lead a team in the event, with an assistant from his staff also slated to serve as a head coach for another of the All-Star teams.
Oklahoma City Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault, whose squad has locked up the top spot in the Western Conference, will fill another head coaching role for the All-Star Game. An assistant coach from Daigneault’s staff will also take the reins for one of the All-Star teams.
The NBA All-Star Game will feature a new format with a mini-tournament consisting of four teams and three games. Three of the teams will be made up of All-Star selections, while the fourth will be the champion of the Rising Stars competition, set to take place on Friday, Feb. 14.
This year’s All-Star Game will be held in San Francisco, home of the Golden State Warriors. Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell was voted in as a starter. Cleveland teammates Darius Garland, Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen are expected to receive consideration as reserves, with Garland and Mobley all but shoe-ins. Allen really is the only mystery.
The voting for reserves is done by NBA coaches.
Atkinson is in his first season with Cleveland and has guided the Cavaliers to a 36-7 record, tied with the Thunder for the NBA’s best.
Cleveland Cavaliers head coach Kenny Atkinson has earned a spot to coach one of the four teams in the 2025 NBA All-Star Game.
Atkinson clinched the honor with the Celtics' loss to the Lakers tonight. pic.twitter.com/WA2Lr7u9Sa
— NBA Communications (@NBAPR) January 24, 2025
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