Hawks dismiss head coach McMillan

The Atlanta Hawks sacked head coach Nate McMillan, who went a combined 99-80 across three seasons at the club, the NBA team announced.

Joe Prunty has been named interim head coach.

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— Atlanta Hawks (@ATLHawks) February 21, 2023

Assistant coach Joe Prunty will replace McMillan on an interim basis as the club will commence a search for a new full-time head coach immediately.

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“I would like to thank Nate for his leadership and professionalism during his time with the Hawks,” general manager Landry Fields said in a statement. “He is truly a class act, and we appreciate the graciousness and work ethic he brought with him every day.

“Decisions like these, especially in-season, are always extremely difficult, but we believe it’s in the best interest of our team to move forward with another voice leading the way.”

Former Utah Jazz head coach Quin Snyder is expected to be among the top candidates in Atlanta’s search and Milwaukee Bucks assistant Charles Lee is reportedly expected to be another candidate, according to media reports.

Golden State Warriors assistant and former Brooklyn Nets head coach Kenny Atkinson could also be options.

The 58-year-old McMillan replaced former Hawks head coach Lloyd Pierce in March 2021 and took the club to the Eastern Conference finals in the postseason.

However, he failed to match that progress in 2021-22; Atlanta went 43-39 and lasted just five games against the Miami Heat in the opening round of the playoffs.