WASHINGTON, Jan. 31 (Xinhua) -- Milwaukee Bucks head coach Mike Budenholzer will coach Team Giannis in the 2019 NBA All-Star game, the NBA announced on Thursday.
With Thursday's 105-92 victory over the Toronto Raptors, the Bucks (37-13) clinched the best record in the Eastern Conference through games played on Feb. 3. As a result, Budenholzer earned the spot to coach Team Giannis over 13 other eligible Eastern Conference head coaches. The Detroit Pistons' Dwane Casey was ineligible because he coached Team LeBron in the 2018 NBA All-Star game.
According to the rules, the NBA All-Star game head coach will lead the team that includes the captain from the same conference. Budenholzer will coach the All-Star team captained by their own player, Milwaukee's Giannis Antetokounmpo.
The head coach of the team with the Western Conference's best record through games of Feb. 3 will coach the All-Star team captained by the Los Angeles Lakers' LeBron James.