Hawks fire Mcmillan; Nets extend Vaughn

The Hawks on Tuesday fired coach Nate Mcmillan, who was unable to follow up on the success of leading the team to the 2021 Eastern Conference finals.

The Hawks are 29-30 and in eighth place in the East this season.

Assistant coach Joe Prunty will serve as interim coach. Prunty joined the Hawks in July 2021 as lead assistant.

ESPN reported that a search for a permanent replacement will begin immediately. Former Jazz head coach and Hawks assistant Quin Snyder is a leading candidate, along with Bucks associate head coach Charles Lee and Warriors assistant Kenny Atkinson.

The 58-year-old Mcmillan went 99-80 as the Hawks’ coach, including a 27-11 record as interim in the second half of the 2020-21 season.

Jacque Vaughn, who has coached the Nets into playoff position despite the trades of Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving, agreed to a multiyear contract extension. Vaughn, 48, replaced Steve Nash early in the season. Terms of the deal weren’t announced.

College basketball:

Alabama freshman F Brandon Miller allegedly provided the handgun that was used to kill a woman last month, according to police. Tuscaloosa detective Branden Culpepper testified that Miller was asked to bring the gun to ex-teammate Darius Miles and Michael Lynn Davis, who allegedly shot and killed Jamea Jonae Harris, 23, on Jan. 15, according to Culpepper. Miller hasn’t been charged with a crime. He’s averaging 18.7 points and 8.0 rebounds for the second-ranked Crimson Tide. Coach Nate Oats said the program had been aware of Miller’s alleged link to the case.

Soccer: In a rematch of last year’s Champions League final, defending champ Real Madrid came back from 2-0 down to beat host Liverpool 5-2 in the first leg of a last 16 matchup. Vinicius Jr. and Karim Benzema scored two goals in the victory.