Raptors Have Fired Head Coach Nick Nurse

The Toronto Raptors have fired head coach Nick Nurse as rumors begin circulating about Ime Udoka to be the team's next head coach

Aaron Rose | Apr 21, 2023

Nell Redmond-USA TODAY Sports

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Toronto Raptors

The Toronto Raptors have parted ways with head coach Nick Nurse.

At this point, it’s news that shouldn’t be all that surprising. Toronto wrapped up a disappointing 41-41 season with a play-in loss to the Chicago Bulls earlier in the month and a lack of chemistry both on and off the court seemed a problem for the team all year.

Nick Nurse is out as Raptors coach, sources tell ESPN. pic.twitter.com/HEKwTAdfUH
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) April 21, 2023

Nurse spent 10 seasons in Toronto, first as an assistant coach under Dwane Casey before being promoted to head coach in 2018. He led the Raptors to their first NBA championship in 2018-19 and a 53-19 record the following season that earned Nurse Coach of the Year honors. But Toronto’s fortunes changed the following year with a relocation to Tampa during the COVID-19 pandemic and a 27-45 year.

“The decision to make a change like this is never arrived at easily or taken lightly, especially when it comes to a person who has been an integral part of this franchise’s most historic accomplishments, and who has been a steady leader through some of our team’s most challenging times. As we reflect on Nick’s many successes, we thank him and his family, and wish them the best in future,” Raptors president and vice chairman Masai Ujiri said in a statement

“This is an opportunity for us to reset, to refocus, to put into place the personnel and the players who will help us reach our goal of winning our next championship.”

Nurse led Toronto back to the playoffs last season thanks to his hyper-aggressive style and significant playing time for the Raptors’ key starters. That price, however, came due this season as Toronto took a significant step back.

Toronto will now begin a coaching search with Ime Udoka’s name already garnering attention. He’s reportedly expected to receive serious consideration to be the Raptors’ next head coach, per ESPN. Udoka was interviewed in 2018 to replace Casey before the organization opted to go with Nurse. He led the Boston Celtics to the 2022 NBA Finals before being suspended and eventually relieved of his duties this season for violating team policy.

Nurse is expected to receive head coaching consideration from the Houston Rockets, according to multiple reports. He is owed approximately $8 million this season by the Raptors organization.

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