Failure To Make Playoffs Leads To Coach Firing

A Play-In appearance does not equal a playoff appearance, and after falling short once again this season, the Charlotte Hornets have decided to move on from head coach James Borrego. For the second straight season, the Hornets finished 10th in the Eastern Conference, and were eliminated in the first Play-In game.

The Hornets are firing head coach James Borrego, per @wojespn pic.twitter.com/M283IGandd

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) April 22, 2022

Borrego spent four years at the helm in Charlotte, compiling a 138-163 record. The team actually improved its win totals by 10 in each of the last two seasons, from 23-42 to 33-39 to 43-39. This season was the club's first winning record since 2016. 

With rising stars LeMelo Ball and Miles Bridges, the Hornets had bigger expectations this season, and the failure to advance to the playoffs once again spelled the end for Borrego, despite the team signing him to a multi-year extension just this past August. 

This makes three coaching vacancies in the NBA, after the Los Angeles Lakers dismissed Frank Vogel and the Sacramento Kings moved on from interim coach Alvin Gentry. 

 Photo Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports