Mike Budenholzer is fired by the Milwaukee Bucks, leaving Giannis Antetokounmpo without a coach.
Head coach Mike Budenholzer has left the Milwaukee Bucks.
The Milwaukee Bucks sacked head coach Mike Budenholzer after their team lost to the Miami Heat in the opening round of the playoffs.
Budenholzer’s $16 million, two-year contract with the Bucks was set to expire after two years.
Under Budenholzer, the Bucks concluded the 2022–2023 season with 58 wins, good for the No. 1 overall seed in the NBA. They became just the sixth 1-seed in NBA history to lose to an 8-seed, though, when they were beaten in five games by the eighth-seeded Heat in the first round.
Budenholzer is only the fourth NBA head coach in the last 50 seasons to lead his team to the greatest record without returning for the next season.
During the Heat series, Budenholzer’s decision-making was called into doubt as the Bucks blew double-digit leads in Games 4 and 5.
Milwaukee had two chances to win the game on the closing possessions of the fourth quarter and in overtime of Game 5, but Budenholzer chose not to use his final timeouts in both situations.
Just two years after leading the team to an NBA title, Budenholzer was fired on Thursday.
53-year-old Budenholzer had a 271-120 record in five seasons with Milwaukee, making the playoffs every year.
Budenholzer is fired by Bucks
“It was a very difficult decision to make this change,” stated Bucks general manager Jon Horst.
“Bud guided our club into an era of consistent success, to the Bucks’ first championship in fifty years, and for five amazing seasons.
“We are appreciative of the winning and leadership culture that Bud contributed to the development of in Milwaukee.
“We can use this as a chance to regroup and recommit ourselves to preparing for our upcoming championship season.”
With Budenholzer’s exit, Greek-Nigerian professional basketball player Giannis Antetokounmpo will begin the upcoming season without a coach with the Bucks.
