Underachieving Hawks send McMillan packing

ATLANTA — The Atlanta Hawks on Tuesday fired Nate McMillan, who was unable to follow up on his team’s surprising run to the 2021 Eastern Conference finals.

Assistant Joe Prunty will serve as interim coach for the Hawks, who are 29-30 and eighth in the East this season.

Former Jazz coach Quin Snyder is the leading candidate to succeed McMillan, ESPN reported, but Warriors assistant Kenny Atkinson and Bucks associate head coach Charles Lee also are expected to interview.

McMillan went 99-80 as Atlanta’s coach, including a 27-11 record as interim coach in the second half of the 2020-21 season. His success earned him the full-time position.

Bulls declare Ball out for the season

The Chicago Bulls ruled out point guard Lonzo Ball for the season Tuesday because of lingering discomfort in his surgically repaired left knee.

The team said the focus now will be on resolving the discomfort he feels performing “high level basketball-related activities” and making “a full return” for next season.

Ball hasn’t played since Jan. 14, 2022. He had surgery for a torn meniscus a few weeks later and experienced setbacks when he tried to ramp up basketball activities.

Nets give Vaughn contract extension

Jacque Vaughn, who has coached the Brooklyn Nets into playoff position after replacing Steve Nash early this season despite the trades of Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving during another turbulent year for the franchise, has agreed to a multiyear extension.

Terms weren’t disclosed, though general manager Sean Marks said the Nets looked forward to Vaughn leading the team “for years to come.”

Westbrook to debut for Clippers soon

Russell Westbrook could make his debut with the Los Angeles Clippers on Friday once he clears waivers, two people with knowledge of the matter said Tuesday.

The nine-time All-Star was waived by the Utah Jazz on