The New Jersey Nets fired coach Lawrence Frank on Sunday after losing their first 16 games during one of the worst starts in NBA history.
Assistant Tom Barrise will coach the team late Sunday night in Los Angeles against the Lakers, when the Nets could tie the record for the worst start if they lose.
The Nets said a permanent replacement for Frank hasn’t been determined.
Frank was in his sixth full season, the longest-tenured coach in the Eastern Conference and the winningest coach in the Nets’ NBA history. But none of those victories came this season, and the team dismissed him with a 225-241 record.
“Lawrence always approached every day with a passion for his craft that was infectious, and his dedication to the game as well as his work ethic are to be both admired and appreciated,” Nets president Rod Thorn said in a statement. “I wish he and his family only the best of good fortune in the future.”
Frank, from nearby Teaneck, N.J., began his career with a 13-game winning streak, the best coaching start in league history. But he couldn’t overcome a losing streak that was even longer, just a game shy of the 17-game skids set by the 1988-89 Miami Heat and the 1999 Los Angeles Clippers.
Plagued by injuries this season, the Nets faced some games where they were missing four starters and suited up the minimum eight players. Still, they played hard and stayed close for most of those games, figuring the wins would come when they started getting some bodies back.
Roundup
CLIPPERS 98, GRIZZLIES 88 — Eric Gordon scored 29 points, and host Los Angeles rallied from a 20-point deficit to beat Memphis, giving coach Mike Dunleavy his 600th regular-season victory.
Al Thornton scored seven of his 18 points in the final 2:26 for the Clippers, who held the Grizzlies to just 2-for-18 shooting in the fourth quarter. Marcus Camby added 14 points and 14 rebounds for Los Angeles.
CELTICS 92, HEAT 85 — Kevin Garnett scored 24 points on 11 of 12 shooting, Ray Allen delivered the big blow with a 3-pointer with 1:38 left and visiting Boston rallied to beat Miami.
Paul Pierce scored 15 points and Kendrick Perkins finished with 14 points and 13 rebounds for Boston, which opened a four-game road trip by winning its fourth straight.
MAGIC 114, KNICKS 102 — Rashard Lewis scored 13 of his season-high 26 points in the third quarter, and Orlando beat New York for its sixth straight road victory.
Dwight Howard had 24 points and 16 rebounds for the Eastern Conference leaders.
PISTONS 94, HAWKS 88 — Ben Wallace had 18 rebounds, including 11 offensive boards, to help undermanned Detroit end a seven-game losing streak.
SUNS 113, RAPTORS 94 — Steve Nash had 20 points and 16 assists, Jason Richardson scored 22 points, and visiting Phoenix won its fourth straight.
ROCKETS 100, THUNDER 91 — Aaron Brooks scored 18 of his 21 points in the second half, Carl Landry had 21 points and 10 rebounds after replacing injured Luis Scola and visiting Houston beat Oklahoma City.
SPURS 97, 76ERS 89 — Tim Duncan scored 22 points, and host San Antonio won its fifth straight with a victory over Philadelphia.
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