PHOENIX — The leader of the NBA’s hottest team will coach Team LeBron in the upcoming 2022 NBA All-Star Game.
Monty Williams and his Phoenix Suns coaching staff were picked to take the reins of the February matchup after a win over the San Antonio Spurs on Sunday.
Williams, 50, has anchored the Suns since his tenure began in 2019. With a 40-9 record this year, Phoenix leads the entire league and is on pace to break the franchise’s 62-win record with hopes of returning to the NBA Finals.
It’s the fifth time a Suns coach will work at an NBA All-Star game. Williams shares the honor with former coaches John MacLeod, Paul Westphal – who was called twice – and Mike D’Antoni.
The coach of the Eastern Conference team with the best record through Feb. 6 will be picked to represent Team Durant. Erik Spoelstra’s Miami Heat squad currently leads the East.
The All-Star Game will take place on Sunday, Feb. 20, and will be played in Cleveland.
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Arizona sports
The city of Phoenix is home to five major professional sports league teams; The NFL's Arizona Cardinals, NBA's Phoenix Suns, WNBA’s Phoenix Mercury, MLB's Arizona Diamondbacks and NHL's Arizona Coyotes.
The Cardinals have made the State Farm Stadium in Glendale their home turf and the Footprint Center in downtown Phoenix is home to both the Suns and the Mercury. The Indoor Football League’s Arizona Rattlers also play at the Footprint. Phoenix has a soccer team with the USL's Phoenix Rising FC.
The Valley hosts multiple major sporting events on a yearly basis, including college football's Fiesta Bowl and Cactus Bowl; the PGA Tour’s highest-attended event, the Waste Management Phoenix Open; NASCAR events each spring and fall; and Cactus League Spring Training.