Kidd dismissed as Milwaukee coach after three-plus seasons
MILWAUKEE — Seeking change amid midseason struggles, the Milwaukee Bucks fired coach Jason Kidd on Monday after a slide that left a team with designs on challenging the NBA’s best in eighth place in the Eastern Conference.
It was a surprising end to Kidd’s three-plus-season tenure in Milwaukee, during which the Bucks made the playoffs twice, exiting in the first round each time. Giannis Antetokounmpo turned into an All-Star under his watch, and the Bucks were considered an emerging force in the East at the start of the season.
But the Bucks had lost four of five to fall to 23-22 going into Monday night’s game against Phoenix.
General manager Jon Horst, who was promoted from director of basketball operations in June, said it was time for a change. Kidd was fired hours before the Bucks beat the Suns 109-105.
Assistant coach Joe Prunty will serve as interim coach for the rest of the season, co-owner Wes Edens said in an interview before the game.
Under Kidd, the Bucks had a regular-season record of 139-152.
“We just felt that we got to a point in the season where this team could do more and could perform at a different level in a different way and (we are) looking for a fresh approach and different voice in leadership for the team,” Horst said.
MONDAY’S GAMES
Kemba Walker had 26 points, Jeremy Lamb added 18, and the host Charlotte Hornets beat the Sacramento Kings 112-107. … Dennis Schroder scored 20 points, and the Atlanta Hawks beat the visiting Utah Jazz 104-90, winning for the third time in four games. … Marc Gasol scored 19 points, Tyreke Evans added 18, and the pair led a fourth-quarter rally that lifted the host Memphis Grizzlies over the Philadelphia 76ers, 105-101. … Harrison Barnes had 20 points, and the host Dallas Mavericks beat the Washington Wizards 98-75. … DeMarcus Cousins had 44 points, 24 rebounds and 10 assists, Anthony Davis scored 34 points, and the All-Star pair led the host New Orleans Pelicans to a 132-128 victory over the Chicago Bulls in double overtime. … Jamal Murray scored 38 points as the Denver Nuggets beat the visiting Portland Trail Blazers 104101. … Andrew Wiggins scored 40 points, and the Minnesota Timberwolves defeated the host Los Angeles Clippers 126-118.