Bucks hearth head coach Mike Budenholzer after first-round upset to Heat: report

The Milwaukee Bucks are stepping into a unique course at head coach after they reportedly fired Mike Budenholzer following the staff’s upset loss within the first spherical of the playoffs to the Miami Heat. 

The Bucks had the very best file within the NBA this season at 58-24, but the Milwaukee entrance workplace believed it was time for a contemporary thoughts main the staff after it took the eighth-seeded Heat simply 5 video games to defeat them. 

Jimmy Butler scored 98 factors within the ultimate two video games of the collection, together with an off-balance inbound bucket that despatched Game 5 to additional time. Miami ultimately gained, 128-126. 

Head coach Mike Budenholzer of the Milwaukee Bucks reacts throughout the first half in opposition to the San Antonio Spurs at Fiserv Forum March 22, 2023, in Milwaukee. (Patrick McDermott/Getty Images)

The transfer by the Bucks is particularly stunning contemplating Budenholzer was on the helm when Milwaukee gained all of it in 2021, its first NBA championship since 1971. 

Budenholzer revealed to The Athletic he had misplaced considered one of his three brothers previous to Game 4 of the collection. He died from accidents in a automotive accident. 

BUCKS’ MIKE BUDENHOLZER’S BROTHER DIED DURING PLAYOFF SERIES LOSS TO HEAT

Budenholzer didn’t talk about his brother’s dying throughout the collection, however Los Angeles Lakers head coach Darvin Ham, who was an assistant underneath Budenholzer for 4 seasons in Milwaukee, advised reporters final week what Budenholzer was going by way of. 

Head coach Mike Budenholzer of the Milwaukee Bucks reacts after a name throughout the second half of Game 2 of the Eastern Conference first-round playoffs in opposition to the Miami Heat at Fiserv Forum April 19, 2023, in Milwaukee.  (Patrick McDermott/Getty Images)

“Coach Bud goes by way of lots on a private degree,” Ham mentioned. “He simply misplaced a brother. So, my apologies, Bud, if I wasn’t alleged to let anyone know. He and I’ve been texting. I really like these guys.” 

Budenholzer spent the previous 5 seasons main the Bucks to an total file of 271-120 (.693) in 391 video games. His title in 2021 was the primary of his profession. 

Budenholzer has 5 prior years of head teaching expertise with the Atlanta Hawks, the place he spent 5 seasons from 2013-2018 earlier than shifting on to Milwaukee. 

Head coach Mike Budenholzer of the Milwaukee Bucks is interviewed after Game 5 of the primary spherical of the 2023 NBA Playoffs April 26, 2023, on the Fiserv Forum Center in Milwaukee.  (Gary Dineen/NBAE through Getty Images)

A coach with a great deal of expertise within the NBA, Budenholzer needs to be a scorching commodity this offseason for groups out there for a brand new head coach.