The Atlanta Hawks have decided to part ways with head coach Nate McMillan, the team announced Tuesday.
McMillan was named the team’s interim coach in March 2021 and led the Hawks to an Eastern Conference finals appearance.
But this season has largely been a disappointment. Atlanta entered the NBA All-Star break with a 29-30 record and ranks eighth in the East.
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Atlanta Hawks head coach Nate McMillan during the third quarter of a game against the New Orleans Pelicans at the Smoothie King Center on February 7, 2023 in New Orleans. (Sean Gardner/Getty Images)
The Hawks named assistant coach Joe Prunty as interim coach.
Prunty began his coaching career with the Spurs under the management of Gregg Popovich. He served as the Bucks’ interim coach in 2018, compiling a 21-16 record.
The Hawks struggled to find consistency during the 2021-22 season and had to win two games in the play-in tournament to clinch a final playoff berth. The Hawks lost to the Miami Heat in five games in the first round of the postseason.
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The Hawks are the fourth NBA team McMillan has coached, following his previous stints with the Seattle Supersonics, Trail Blazers and Pacers.
Atlanta Hawks head coach Nate McMillan and Dejounte Murray (5) during a game on February 9, 2023 at State Farm Arena in Atlanta. (Adam Hagy/NBAE via Getty Images)
The Hawks are in the midst of several changes within their basketball operations. Former general manager and team president Travis Schlenk has taken on an advisory role. Former player Landry Fields was named the new general manager.
Nick Ressler, the 27-year-old son of primary owner Tony Ressler, has taken on a role in the front office and is believed to have major influence, according to a report in The Athletic.
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In January, former Hawks player Kyle Korver took over as assistant general manager. Korver previously served as the Hawks’ director of player affairs and development.
McMillan and star point guard Trae Young’s relationship has apparently been strained in recent months.
Atlanta Hawks head coach Nate McMillan meets with Trae Young (11) in the fourth quarter against the Indiana Pacers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on January 13, 2023 in Indianapolis. (Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
Young decided not to attend a game against the Nuggets in December after he had a disagreement with McMillan during a team shootout. McMillan later described the situation as a «miscommunication» between himself and Young.
«Decisions like these, especially in the season, are always extremely difficult, but we believe it is in the best interest of our team to move forward with another voice at the helm,» Fields said in a statement.
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McMillan went 99-80 in three seasons as the Hawks’ head coach, including a 27-11 record as an interim.
Former Utah Jazz coach Quin Snyder, Bucks assistant Charles Lee and Golden State assistant Kenny Atkinson are expected to attract interest from the Hawks.