Milwaukee Bucks fire head coach Jason Kidd

By Genaro C. Armas The Associated Press

7 years ago

This Jan. 15, 2018 photo shows Milwaukee Bucks head coach Jason Kidd looking on during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Washington Wizards in Washington. The Bucks have relieved Kidd from his head coaching duties, Monday, Jan. 22, 2018. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

Milwaukee Bucks head coach Jason Kidd watches during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Miami Heat Wednesday, Jan. 17, 2018, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)

Milwaukee Bucks head coach Jason Kidd reacts to a call during an NBA basketball game against the Miami Heat Wednesday, Jan. 17, 2018, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Aaron Gash)

Milwaukee Bucks head coach Jason Kidd looks on during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Washington Wizards, Monday, Jan. 15, 2018, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

Milwaukee Bucks head coach Jason Kidd talks to John Henson during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Golden State Warriors Friday, Jan. 12, 2018, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)

Milwaukee Bucks head coach Jason Kidd watches during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Orlando Magic Wednesday, Jan. 10, 2018, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)

Milwaukee Bucks head coach Jason Kidd argues with an official during an NBA basketball game against the Indiana Pacers Wednesday, Jan. 3, 2018, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Aaron Gash)

Milwaukee Bucks head coach Jason Kidd talks with Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo as he walks off the court during the first quarter of an NBA basketball game against the Sacramento Kings Tuesday, Nov. 28, 2017, in Sacramento, Calif. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli)

MILWAUKEE — The Milwaukee Bucks have fired coach Jason Kidd following a midseason slide that left the playoff hopeful in eighth place in the Eastern Conference.

Assistant coach Joe Prunty was serving as head coach for Monday night’s game against Phoenix.

It was a surprising end to Kidd’s three-plus season tenure in Milwaukee, when the Bucks made the playoffs twice. Giannis Antetokounmpo turned into an All-Star under his watch. The Bucks were considered an emerging force in the East at the start of the season.

But the Bucks have lost four of five going into Monday and had been prone to defensive lapses especially on the perimeter.

General manager Jon Horst says “a fresh approach and a change in leadership are needed to continue elevating our talented team towards the next level.”