Watch CBS News

Milwaukee Bucks Dismiss Kidd After Recent Slide

MILWAUKEE (AP) — The Milwaukee Bucks have fired coach Jason Kidd following a midseason slide that left the playoff hopeful in eighth place in the Eastern Conference.

Jason Kidd
Jason Kidd of the Milwaukee Bucks stands on the court during a game against the Brooklyn Nets at the Barclays Center on November 19, 2014 in in the Brooklyn borough of New York City, New York. (credit: Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)

Assistant coach Joe Prunty was serving as head coach for Monday night's game against Phoenix.

It was a surprising end to Kidd's three-plus season tenure in Milwaukee, when the Bucks made the playoffs twice. Giannis Antetokounmpo turned into an All-Star under his watch. The Bucks were considered an emerging force in the East at the start of the season.

But the Bucks have lost four of five going into Monday and had been prone to defensive lapses especially on the perimeter.

General manager Jon Horst says "a fresh approach and a change in leadership are needed to continue elevating our talented team towards the next level."

(© Copyright 2018 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.