Knicks fire coach Fizdale
The New York Knicks fired embattled head coach David Fizdale, ESPN’S Adrian Wojnarowski reported on Friday.
Wojnarowski reported that assistant coach Keith Smart was fired as well, according to a league source.
Fizdale labelled the Knicks’ performance as “sickening” following Thursday’s 129-92 setback to the Denver Nuggets at Madison Square Garden. The loss was the team’s eighth in a row and 18th in 22 games this season.
Fizdale was asked after the contest if he was worried the team’s troubles would be blamed on him.
“I don’t care about all of that, I don’t even think about that, really,” the 45-year-old Fizdale said.
New York’s 4-18 record is tied for the worst start to a season in franchise history. The team also posted a 4-18 mark in 2014-15 en route to a 17-65 finish.
ESPN’S Wojnarowski and Malika Andrews reported last month that Knicks president Steve Mills had begun laying the groundwork for Fizdale’s eventual firing.
Possible candidates to become interim coach include assistant coaches Mike Miller and Pat Sullivan, according to ESPN’S report.
Fizdale, in the middle of a fouryear contract, has a 21-83 record with the Knicks since being hired in May 2018.
New York had the NBA’S worst record at 17-65 in 2018-19. However, the Knicks did not receive the No. 1 pick in the 2019 NBA Draft and thereby missed out on the opportunity to draft Zion Williamson.
Portland announced Friday that Carmelo Anthony’s contract is now fully guaranteed for the remainder of the season.
Anthony was named the Western Conference Player of the Week last week after averaging 22.3 points, 7.7 rebounds and 2.7 assists.