Milwaukee Bucks
MILWAUKEE, WI (WSAU) — After becoming the first team to lose a first-round series to a play-in winner, the Milwaukee Bucks are shaking up their coaching staff.
Mike Budenholzer has been let go, according to multiple sources including ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski:
BREAKING: The Milwaukee Bucks dismissed coach Mike Budenholzer, sources tell ESPN. Budenholzer is out after the East’s top-seed suffered a first-round loss to the Miami Heat. pic.twitter.com/wQp0Zk3lxi
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) May 4, 2023
Budenholzer led the Bucks to the NBA title in 2021 though the two seasons since then have been considered disappointments. Milwaukee went 51-31 and earned the 3 seed in the 2022 Playoffs, losing in the Eastern Conference Semifinals to the Boston Celtics in seven games.
The 2023 Playoffs began with Milwaukee (58-24) holding home-court advantage for each round they would qualify for. That proved to be no help as the Miami Heat, who defeated Chicago in game three of the Play-in Tournament to earn the 8th seed, shocked the Bucks in game one at Fiserv Forum. Milwaukee bounced back in game two but then lost three straight including Game Five at home.
It was later revealed that Budenholzer’s brother died in a car crash before Game Four of the series, according to The Athletic.
Bucks GM Jon Horst released a statement saying “we are grateful for the culture of winning and leadership that Bud helped create in Milwaukee.”
A search for his replacement will begin as soon as possible.
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