San Antonio Spurs head coach Mitch Johnson is heading to the NBA All-Star Game - and he’s doing it in his first year at the helm. After a dramatic finish to the selection process, Johnson was officially named the Western Conference head coach for the 2026 NBA All-Star Game, becoming just the second coach in franchise history to earn the honor.
The only other? A guy named Gregg Popovich, who last held the title back in 2016.
Johnson’s selection came down to the wire. With Oklahoma City Thunder coach Mark Daigneault ineligible due to league rules - coaches can’t represent their conference in back-to-back years - the All-Star nod went to the coach of the team with the next-best record in the West as of February 1.
Had the Denver Nuggets knocked off OKC that night, it would've been David Adleman making travel plans. But the Thunder held serve, and Johnson got the call.
After a 112-103 win over the Orlando Magic - a victory that capped off a chaotic travel day for the Spurs - Johnson addressed reporters without yet knowing his All-Star fate. Still, his comments reflected the humility and team-first mindset that’s defined his short but impressive tenure.
“It would be an honor and humbling to be able to be a part of All-Star Weekend with the best players in this league,” Johnson said. “It’s a reflection of the work these guys have put in.”
And that work has been undeniable. Through 49 games, Johnson has guided the Spurs to a 33-16 record - not just good for third in the league overall, but the franchise’s best mark at this point in the season since the 2016-17 campaign. That’s rare air in San Antonio, a city that knows what sustained success looks like.
The numbers back up the eye test. Defensively, the Spurs have been one of the league’s stingiest units.
They rank second in opponent second-chance points and fast break points allowed, fourth in opponent field goal percentage, and seventh in overall opponent scoring. Their 111.4 defensive rating is third-best in the NBA - a testament to the discipline and buy-in Johnson has instilled on that end of the floor.
And it’s not just defense. This team has shown real resilience in crunch time.
San Antonio ranks third in clutch wins with 17, and their 124.8 offensive rating in those high-leverage moments is also third in the league. That kind of execution under pressure speaks volumes about both the coaching staff and the poise of this young roster.
"Would be an honor and humbling to be able to be a part of All-Star Weekend with the best players in this league...
— Hector Ledesma (@HectorLedesmaTV) February 2, 2026
An example and reflection of the work that these guys have put in..."⬇️
Mitch Johnson will coach the West. This answer came w/OKC/Den game still in progress#Spurs pic.twitter.com/PatPuuZW2q
Johnson’s coaching chops were on full display during the win over Orlando - a game that came under less-than-ideal circumstances. After a weather-delayed departure from Charlotte and a mechanical diversion to Atlanta, the Spurs didn’t land in San Antonio until just hours before tipoff. But instead of folding, they responded.
“The game was extremely important because it’s one of 82, and we’re trying to grow and get better in a competitive Western Conference,” Johnson said. “We needed to respond because of how we played in the previous game - and we did that.”
That mindset has been consistent all season. From opening night on October 22 through January 11, the Spurs scored 100 or more points in 39 straight games - the second-longest streak in the league this year. Overall, they’ve topped the century mark in 46 of 49 games.
Johnson, a Seattle native and longtime Spurs assistant, was named Western Conference Coach of the Month in December. Now, he’ll be on the sidelines for the 75th NBA All-Star Game on February 15 at 4 p.m. CT - a fitting stage for a coach who’s quickly proving he belongs among the league’s elite.
For San Antonio, it’s more than just a milestone. It’s a signal that the next era of Spurs basketball isn’t just coming - it’s already here.