Scott Clark
Jan 23, 2024 - 10:05

Bucks fire coach Adrian Griffin after 43 games with top NBA record

Milwaukee Bucks fire coach Adrian Griffin after 43 games despite top record. General manager announces search for new head coach.

The Milwaukee Bucks made the surprising decision to fire head coach Adrian Griffin after just 43 games, despite the team having one of the best records in the league at the midway point of the season. General manager Jon Horst announced the move, stating that it was a difficult decision to make during the season, but the team is already working towards hiring a new head coach. Assistant coach Joe Prunty will serve as the interim head coach for the time being.

The Bucks currently have a record of 30-13, tying them with the Minnesota Timberwolves for the second-best record in the league. However, concerns about the team's defensive performance have been raised, as they have dropped to 22nd in the NBA in defensive rating, down from fourth the previous year. This has led to doubts about the Bucks' ability to contend for a championship, despite acquiring seven-time all-NBA guard Damian Lillard to team up with two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo.

Adrian Griffin was given his first head coaching job with the Bucks this summer after the team fired Mike Budenholzer, who had led the Bucks to their first title in 50 years in 2021. The decision to make a coaching change came after the Bucks were eliminated in the first round of the playoffs last season.

Griffin, who had spent 16 seasons as an NBA assistant, was put under a major spotlight at the start of his head coaching career, especially with the presence of Antetokounmpo and Lillard on the team. The departure of assistant coach Terry Stotts before the season opener, despite his extensive head coaching experience, was seen as an early warning sign for Griffin's tenure.

The Bucks' general manager will address the media at a news conference before the team's home game with the Cleveland Cavaliers. The decision to fire Griffin has left many fans and analysts surprised, and the team's future under new leadership remains uncertain.