The Los Angeles Lakers have announced the departure of head coach Darvin Ham on Friday, following their first-round playoff exit at the hands of the Denver Nuggets. Ham’s tenure with the Lakers lasted just two seasons, during which he took over from Frank Vogel after the 2021-22 campaign.
Despite a promising start under Ham’s leadership, highlighted by a trip to the Western Conference Finals last season, the Lakers’ performance this year failed to meet expectations. Following an impressive 7-0 start and a tournament victory in Las Vegas in December, the team experienced a significant decline in form.
Lakers Part Ways With Head Coach Darvin Ham pic.twitter.com/or3Bx2mZ5w
— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) May 3, 2024
Despite a late-season resurgence that secured a playoff spot via the play-in tournament, the Lakers ultimately fell short in the postseason, losing 4-1 to the Nuggets in the first round. The decision to part ways with Ham comes as the organization seeks to address its on-court challenges and chart a new course for the future.