Atlanta Hawks fire head coach Nate McMillan

Nate McMillan took over from Lloyd Pierce as head coach of the Hawks in the 2020/21 season and led the team on a deep playoff run. 

There have been reports of chemistry issues within the Hawks' locker room this season.

 A disagreement between McMillan and Trae Young led to Young staying at home on December 2 rather than taking part in the Nuggets game.

 “I mean, it was just a situation," Young told reporters in December.

 "I mean, we're all grown men here and sometimes we don't always agree. It's unfortunate that personal situations and private conversations got out to the public but I guess that's the world we live in now. 

“But yeah, I'm just going to focus on basketball and focus on helping my team win. That's what I got to be focusing on.”

It is not apparent what role the feud between McMillan and Young played in his dismissal, but there has been a noticeable lack of cohesiveness in the Hawks' team for months.

The Hawks upgraded their team last offseason acquiring the All-Star guard Dejounte Murray from the San Antonio Spurs. 

The deal put even more pressure on McMillan and it was further highlighted by the Hawks sending San Antonio three first-round picks in return. 

Hawks fans were hoping an explosive, unpredictable backcourt of Young and Murray, as well as a frontcourt that included John Collins and rebounding star Clint Capela, would propel them to the top of the Eastern Conference. 

Instead, they have posted a losing record of 29-30 and will come out of the All-Star break in eighth place in the standings.