Nick Nurse, who led Toronto to the NBA title in 2019, was fired from his coaching job on Friday, paying for the poor results of the Raptors who missed the play-offs this season, the Canadian basketball franchise announced. .
Raptors president Masai Ujiri said the team needed “new momentum” after a season that ended with a 41-lost record that ended April 13 with a loss to Chicago at a a play-off match.
“The decision to make a change like this is never taken easily or lightly, especially when it comes to someone who has been such an integral part of the history of this franchise and who has been a consistent leader through some of our team’s greatest successes,” explained Masai Ujiri.
Nurse, 55, spent 11 seasons coaching in Europe, including England in Birmingham and Manchester. He joined the Raptors in 2013 as assistant coach to Dwane Casey, from whom he took over in 2018.
In five seasons at the helm of the Raptors, Nurse has a record of 227 wins and 163 losses.
Nurse led the Raptors to crowning glory in 2019, after beating the two-time defending champion Golden State Warriors in the Finals. He was named NBA Coach of the Year in 2020.
Among the potential successors, Ime Udoka, the former coach of the Boston Celtics finalists last season, is the favorite.
