Warriors' Kerr, Hawks' Budenholzer clinch All-Star coaching jobs
OAKLAND, Calif. - Steve Kerr of the Golden State Warriors will coach the Western Conference in the All-Star Game on Feb. 15.
The NBA confirmed Thursday that Kerr clinched the spot after the Warriors' 126-113 victory over Houston on Wednesday night assured his team of the best record in the conference through Feb. 1. The All-Star Game is being held at Madison Square Garden, where Kerr would have coached had he not turned down the New York Knicks' job this summer.
Kerr has the Warriors off to the best start in franchise history at 34-6. The last coach to earn the All-Star nod in his first season was Indiana's Larry Bird in 1998.
Atlanta's Mike Budenholzer will coach the East, as the Hawks have built a six-game lead over the second-place Washington Wizards thanks to a 14-game win streak and 28 wins in their last 30 games.
With files from theScore