This was fairly a weekend for the San Antonio Spurs. First they’ve to remain over in Charlotte because of climate. Then they must land in Atlanta en route and alter planes because of mechanical points.
The Spurs return sport initially scheduled for 3:00 p.m. was pushed to six:00 p.m. and ultimately 8:00 p.m. The Most of the gamers and training employees went straight from the airport to the sector as there was little time to interrupt between.
The Spurs had a implausible first quarter adopted by an abysmal second quarter giving up 40 factors and giving the Orlando Magic the lead. Mitch Johnson went into the locker room and revved up his workforce. The Silver & Black answered solely permitting 42 factors within the second half.
For his efforts, Johnson might be rewarded with journey to the All-Star Sport.
He’s doing so in his first official season as head coach. An honor his predecessor Gregg Popovich earned 4 instances throughout his illustrious profession.
Getting into into Sunday night, the Spurs wanted a win and a Denver Nuggets loss to regain the No. 2 seed within the Western Convention.
However final evening OKC performed a task in figuring out the All-Star head coach as they performed the Denver Nuggets. Their victory over Denver reinstated the Spurs as second within the Western Convention.
Why is the second seeded coach chosen for the All-Star Sport?
For individuals who are unaware, the coach of the highest seeded workforce takes the helm annually, except that particular person coached the sport the earlier 12 months.
Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder coach Mark Daigneault earned the consideration final season, and though OKC is on the high of the Western Convention, he can not seem within the All-Star Sport this season. The respect then goes to the second seed.
Mitch Johnson will be a part of Detroit Pistons’ J.B. Bickerstaff as a 2026 All-Star Sport coach, main one in all three groups in Los Angeles throughout All-Star Weekend.
After the sport, Spurs guard Dylan Harper was requested if the workforce knew the affect of the win in opposition to Orlando.
“I didn’t know. He didn’t say something. Congrats to him, I feel he’s executed a terrific job of bringing us collectively. I feel letting us go, however on the identical time holding us accountable from high to backside. So I imply he undoubtedly deserves it, that’s a historic award. Congrats to him.”
Johnson, whose postgame got here earlier than the tip of the OKC/Denver match, performed down the chance earlier than it was official however did say that it “I feel it could be an honor and humbling to have the ability to be part of All-Star Weekend with one of the best gamers on this league…it’s one thing that I’d simply be honored to have the privilege to do. In all probability a terrific bonus in recollections for me and my household, and if not, I’ll benefit from the break.”
Alas, there might be no break for Mitch Johnson. He’ll coach the Spurs in opposition to the top-seeded Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder on Wednesday — their fifth and closing assembly of the common season — earlier than heading to the west coast with Victor Wembanyama, Stephon Citadel, Dylan Harper, David Jones Garcia, and Carter Bryant.
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