Anthony Edwards and Karl-Anthony Towns have some familiar company on their way to the NBA All-Star Game. They'll make room on the plane, and on the bench, for their head coach, Chris Finch.
Sunday night's 111-90 victory by the Timberwolves over Houston earned Finch the nod to lead the Western Conference in the All-Star game. Finch was showered with cold water by his team in the locker room after the game.
“Really, it’s a reflection of our season to date,” Finch said. “It’s everybody doing their job. I know the players were excited coming into the game to be able to give that opportunity to us, so we really appreciate that.”
The entire Wolves coaching staff joining Finch on the sidelines for the Feb. 18 game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.
Edwards and Towns were named as reserves for the game.
The game marks the return of the east-versus-west format of the All-Star Game for the first time since 2017, and will also use a traditional scoring system over four 12-minute quarters.
The past six NBA All-Star Games featured team captains picking their players and a untimed fourth quarter.
Finch is the second Timberwolves coach to lead a team at the All-Star Game.
The late Flip Saunders led the Western Conference to the 136-132 win in the 2004 contest in Los Angeles.
The Timberwolves are 35-15, which has them tied with Oklahoma City for the best record in the Western Conference.
Milwaukee Bucks coach Doc Rivers, who replaced the fired Adrian Griffin two weeks ago, will coach the Eastern Conference team.
The Bucks are second in the east behind the Boston Celtics, whose coach Joe Muzzulla led one of the teams in last season's All-Star Game.
NBA rules prohibit coaches from appearing in the game in consecutive seasons.
This will be the 73rd NBA All-Star Game, dating back to the first one in 1951 at Boston Garden.
WOLVES WIN BIG OVER HOUSTON
Speaking of Edwards, it was his big 3rd quarter Sunday that drove the Timberwolves to a big win over Houston. He scored 22 of his 32 points in the third, Rudy Gobert had 17 points and 13 rebounds and the Timberwolves pulled away in the second half to beat the Rockets 111-90.
Edward shot just 1 of 8 for six points in the first half as Houston kept the game close in a stifling defensive matchup. However, he was 9 for 12 in the third quarter, including 4 for 5 on 3-pointers, and outscored the Rockets 22-20 in the period.
“I love when he’s attacking the rim, putting a lot of pressure, drawing fouls and then, I think, once he does that, it opens up his 3-point shot,” Gobert said of Edwards. “I thought he did a great job just shooting the 3s instead of shooting the 2s.”
Gobert added four of Minnesota’s season high-tying 11 blocks. Karl-Anthony Towns, fresh off his fourth All-Star selection, had 14 points and 10 rebounds.
Minnesota entered the game averaging a league-low 107.0 points allowed per game this season, while Houston was ninth, giving up 112.3 points a game. The matchup lived up to the billing in a tight, physical first half as both teams shot under 40% from the field.
The Wolves, who are averaging the third-most turnovers in the league, didn’t have one in the first quarter before totaling nine in the second, leading to 13 points for the Rockets.
With Alperen Sengun, Dillon Brooks and Jabari Smith Jr. in foul trouble, Edwards went to work in the third. Keyed by the star guard, Minnesota went on a 16-2 run to take control, eventually leading by 25.
“I couldn’t hit,” Edwards said of the first half. “My two 3s was in and out. My midrange went in and out. In and out layup. Free throws. I was just off.”
UP NEXT:
Timberwolves: At Chicago on Tuesday night to start a five-game trip. The Wolves then head to Milwaukee, the LA Clippers and back-to-back games in Portland before heading home for what is now a busy All-Star break for the team.
The Associated Press contributed to this story.