The Phoenix Suns announced on Monday that they have fired head coach Mike Budenholzer after one season, and an 11th place finish in the West.
The team said in a statement: "Competing at the highest level remains our goal, and we failed to meet expectations this season. Our fans deserve better. Change is needed."
The firing of Budenholzer marks the third consecutive season in which the Suns have fired a head coach (they fired Monty Williams in 2023 following a second-round exit; and last season after hiring Frank Vogel as a replacement, they fired him following a first-round sweep).
Budenholzer joined the Suns on a five-year contract last offseason. An NBA champion with the Milwaukee Bucks and two-time Coach of the Year, Budenholzer posted a winning record with the Atlanta Hawks before going to Milwaukee, where he finished with a 271-120 record. In nine of his 11 seasons at the helm he coached teams to the playoffs, while also winning the title in 2021.
Editorial credit: Jamie Lamor Thompson / Shutterstock.com