Hornets extend Kupchak as GM

Mitch Kupchak has signed a multiyear contract extension to remain the Charlotte Hornets’ general manager.

Kupchak’s contract was set to expire this summer.

“For better or for worse, I will be here for the next couple of years,” Kupchak said Thursday on a videoconference call. He would not say when the contract expires.

The 67-year-old Kupchak will continue to lead the team’s search for a coach.

He said the team already has interviewed eight to 10 candidates and could speak with a few more over the next week or so. He prefers to make a hire in the next two weeks and at the very latest before the June 23 NBA draft.

The Hornets fired coach James Borrego last month after a meeting with owner Michael Jordan in Florida. He said it was “ultimately my decision” to fire Borrego but that he had Jordan’s support.

Charlotte went 43-39 this season and finished in 10th place in the Eastern Conference before losing 132103 to the Atlanta Hawks in the play-in tournament. It was the second straight year the Hornets were embarrassed in the play-in game.

Kupchak said the backto-back lopsided play-in losses were a factor in the decision to part ways with Borrego after four years, but he refused to go into details regarding the other reasons for his dismissal.

He said the Hornets want to find a coach who can help the team “take the next step.”

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LATE WEDNESDAY

Warriors 112, Mavericks 87: Stephen Curry had 21 points and a gamehigh 12 rebounds, Golden State’s defense held Luka Doncic in check, and the host Warriors routed Dallas for a 1-0 lead in the Western Conference finals.

Doncic scored 20 points but shot just 6 for 18 and 3 of 10 from deep. Curry and Klay Thompson helped the Warriors pull away in the second half.

Game 2 in the best-of-7 series is Friday night at Chase Center.