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The Atlanta Hawks have fired Head Coach Lloyd Pierce. Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN tweeted the news just moments ago.
Atlanta has dismissed Lloyd Pierce as coach, sources tell ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) March 1, 2021
Pierce joined the Hawks at the start of the 2018-19 season, guiding the team to a 29-53 record. He fared even worse in the COVID-shortened 2019-20 season, accumulating a .299 winning average over 67 games. Things had finally begun looking up for Atlanta and their coach this year when, behind scoring star Trae Young, they started the season 14-20. Injuries held back their progress, but that .412 winning percentage was the highest of Pierce’s tenure.
Pierce leaves the franchise with a cumulative 63-120 record.
Former Trail Blazers coach Nate McMillan is a lead assistant for the Hawks and appears to be Atlanta’s likley interim head coach, according to Wojnarowski.
Sources: The Hawks are hopeful assistant Nate McMillan will choose to become the interim head coach. McMillan is meeting with Lloyd Pierce and rest of Hawks coaching staff now. McMillan has been fiercely loyal in his support of Pierce.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) March 1, 2021
Sam Amick has the official statement from the Hawks:
The Hawks announce that they’ve relieved Lloyd Pierce as head coach. pic.twitter.com/T48xorL2qh
— Sam Amick (@sam_amick) March 1, 2021