Magic, Knicks fire head coaches
Frank Vogel was brought to Orlando two years ago with hopes he could get the Magic back to the playoffs, and stop the spinning of the revolving door to their coaches' office.
Neither of those things happened.
Vogel was fired by the Magic on Thursday about 10 hours after the team wrapped up a 25-57 season, its sixth consecutive losing year. Vogel, who had one year left on his contract, went 54-110 in his two years with Orlando.
The Magic haven't been to the playoffs since Stan Van Gundy's final season with the team in 2012. Vogel, who had some successful years coaching the Indiana Pacers before going to Orlando, simply didn't have the roster to change that.
Clearly, another season of struggle was not all Vogel's fault. The Magic used 27 starting lineups this season, none for more than 11 games, 18 for three games or fewer.
There was no continuity to the lineup, and only three players appeared in 70 games. In all, injuries and illness robbed the Magic of 227 player games this season — thwarting key parts of Vogel's plan.
• The New York Knicks fired head coach Jeff Hornaceck on Thursday, shortly after finishing a 29-53 season. They lost more than 50 games and missed the playoffs both seasons under Hornacek.
Knicks President Steve Mills and general manager Scott Perry said they didn't see enough improvement on the court and enough communication and accountability off it. They informed Hornacek of their decision at the airport after flying home from a seasonending victory in Cleveland. Associate head coach Kurt Rambis also was fired. Hornacek went 60-104 and had a year left on his contract. The ouster sends the Knicks in search of their 11th coach since Jeff Van Gundy resigned in the 200102 season.
• The NBA set an attendance record for the fourth straight season, surpassing 22 million for the first time.
The league says 22.1 million fans attended games in the regular season, eclipsing 21.9 million during the 2016-17 season.
The NBA also announced Thursday a record for average attendance at 17,987, improving from last season's high of 17,884.
The league says it set records for online merchandise sales — up 25 percent from last season — and a 9 percent increase in social media followers.
• Brooklyn Nets owner Mikhail Prokhorov has completed the sale of a 49 percent interest in the team to Joe Tsai, who could become the controlling owner in three years.
The NBA's Board of Governors unanimously approved the sale Thursday to Tsai, the co-founder of China-based global internet company Alibaba Group Holding Ltd.
• Former Oklahoma City Thunder center Kendrick Perkins is back with the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Cleveland signed Perkins on Wednesday, the final day of the regular season, and will have him on its playoff roster as it tries to make the NBA Finals for the fourth straight year. The 33-yearold Perkins was with the Cavs during their 2015 run to the Finals.
A 13-year veteran, Perkins also was with Cleveland during training camp this season and spent time with its Canton G-League affiliate. Perkins hasn't played in the NBA since 2016 with New Orleans.