Suns fire head coach Mike Budenholzer after missing NBA playoffs in his 1st season 

The Phoenix Suns have announced the departure of veteran coach Mike Budenholzer after a disappointing season that saw the team miss out on the playoffs despite high expectations. The decision comes after the Suns finished the season with a 36-46 record, placing them 11th in the Western Conference and out of contention for the play-in tournament.

Budenholzer, who was hired last May to replace Frank Vogel, failed to replicate the success he had with the Milwaukee Bucks, where he won an NBA championship in 2021. The Arizona native was brought in with the hope of bringing a championship to the Suns, but the team fell short of expectations under his leadership.

The season started on a positive note with an 8-1 record, but injuries to key players like Kevin Durant derailed the team’s momentum. Despite Durant’s return to the lineup, the Suns struggled to find consistency throughout the season. Budenholzer’s rotations were often criticized, with young players like Ryan Dunn and Oso Ighodaro seeing inconsistent playing time.

Injuries also plagued the team, with Bradley Beal missing more than 20 games due to various issues. The Suns attempted to make moves at the trade deadline to improve the roster, but salary cap constraints and Beal’s no-trade clause made significant changes difficult.

The departure of Budenholzer likely signals a period of roster upheaval for the Suns, who have underperformed for three consecutive seasons. Owner Mat Ishbia, who took over the team in February 2023, has a strong desire to win but has struggled to make successful moves thus far.

Budenholzer leaves the Suns with a career record of 520-363 over 11 NBA seasons with the Atlanta Hawks, Bucks, and Suns. The team will now begin the search for a new head coach as they look to turn things around and compete at a higher level in the coming seasons.