The New Orleans Pelicans fired coach Alvin Gentry on Saturday after the club missed the playoffs for the fourth time in five seasons.
The Pelicans went 30-42 this season, finishing with just two victories in their final eight games despite the presence of top overall draft choice Zion Williamson and first-time All-Star Brandon Ingram in the lineup until the club was eliminated from playoff contention with two games to play.
"These types of moves are often about fit and timing," Pelicans basketball operations chief David Griffin said in announcing Gentry's termination. "We believe now is the right time to make this change and bring in a new voice."
Gentry, 65, went 175-225 since his hiring by former Pelicans General Manager Dell Demps after the club fired Monty Williams following the 2014-15 season, when Anthony Davis was the face of the franchise.
The Pelicans made the playoffs in Gentry's third season, sweeping Portland in the first round before falling to eventual champion Golden State in the second. But the Pelicans were derailed the following season by a combination of injuries and Davis' trade demand, which precipitated Demps' firing.
Gentry was retained even after Demps was replaced by Griffin and the coach's contract was extended through the end of next season. But the Pelicans faltered again, starting 6-22 and laboring through a franchise-record 13-game losing streak while top overall draft choice Williamson missed the season's first 44 games with a knee injury.
• Peja Stojakovic resigned as the Kings' assistant GM, a day after GM Vlade Divac stepped down.
Saturday's game
Portland 126, Memphis 122: The Trail Blazers clinched the NBA's final playoff spot, getting 31 points from Damian Lillard and 29 from CJ McCollum in a victory over the Grizzlies in Lake Buena Vista, Fla.
