The Brooklyn Nets said in a statement that they have fired head coach Jacque Vaughn, with the franchise set to name an interim replacement in the “near future.” Vaughn, 49, was in his second year as head coach after being promoted from assistant in 2022; the team is 21-33 this season and currently sits 11th in the Eastern Conference, just outside of a Play-In Tournament spot.

Nets General Manager Sean Marks said: “This was an incredibly difficult decision, but one we feel is in the best interest of the team going forward. Jacque has represented this organization with exemplary character and class for the past eight years. The consistent positivity and passion he poured into our team daily will remain with the players and staff he interacted with throughout his tenure. We thank Jacque for all he has done for the Nets and the borough of Brooklyn, and wish him, Laura and their family nothing but the best in the future.”

Vaughn helped lead the Nets to the playoffs last season before being swept by the Philadelphia 76ers, 4-0, in the first round; however, the franchise has struggled in the last couple of months, going 8-18 since Christmas Eve. The 2023-24 Nets rank 21st in points per game (113.4) and 16th in points allowed (115.6). They were 12-9 through their first 21 games, but are 9-24 since. The Nets lost five of their last six games before the All-Star break and sit in 11th place in the Eastern Conference.

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