Atlanta Hawks fire Nate McMillan with team stuck in 8th in East

Atlanta Hawks head coach Nate McMillan looks on from the bench during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Phoenix Suns, Thursday, Feb. 9, 2023, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)

The Atlanta Hawks on Tuesday fired coach Nate McMillan, who was unable to follow up on the success of leading the team to the 2021 Eastern Conference finals.

Atlanta general manager Landry Fields announcing the firing. The Hawks are 29-30 and in eighth place in the East this season.

Assistant coach Joe Prunty will serve as interim coach. Prunty joined the Hawks in July 2021 as lead assistant.