NBA News 2016: Suns Fire Head Coach Jeff Hornacek; Heat Guard Tyler Johnson Out Two Months Due To Injury
The Phoenix Suns has decided to let go of its head coach and former Utah Jazz hotshot Jeff Hornacek.
According to a report by Adrian Wojnarowski for Yahoo! Sports' "The Vertical," the decision was made after the Suns lost to the Dallas Mavericks on Sunday night, with a score of 91-78, marking the team's 14th consecutive loss on the road.
The report adds that the assistant coach, Earl Watson, was subsequently promoted to the interim head coach position on Monday afternoon, but made no specific mention if he will be eventually replaced. The team has also been riddled with various injuries that in turn, depleted their roster.
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Most recently, guard Eric Bledsoe suffered a torn meniscus on his left knee, leaving him out for the entire season.
The 52-year-old Hornacek began his coaching career in 2011 with his former team, the Utah Jazz, where he was one of the assistants, until 2013.
He was then immediately hired by the Suns as a head coach and was even given the Coach of the Month honors for the month of December of 2013, after leading the team to a 10-3 streak.
Currently, the Phoenix Suns are situated at the number 13 spot at the Western Conference standings with a record of 14-36. They will be playing against the Houston Rockets on Thursday night, at home.
Meanwhile, Miami Heat shooting guard Tyler Johnson will be sidelined for a minimum of two months, due to a shoulder injury.
In a report by Brandon Di Perno for SBNation.com's Hot Hot Hoops, the 23-year-old professional basketball player had surgery for a torn rotator cuff on his left shoulder.
The procedure took place at the Doctors Hospital in Miami yesterday, February 3rd.
For the current season alone, Johnson has played in 36 games and is averaging 8.7 points, 3.0 rebounds, 2.2 assists, and 0.7 steals through 24 minutes of playing time per game.
