Lakers Fire Head Coach Darvin Ham After 2 Seasons

LOS ANGELES, CA — The Lakers have dismissed head coach Darvin Ham, the team announced Friday.

"We greatly appreciate Darvin's efforts on behalf of the Lakers and recognize the many accomplishments achieved over the past two seasons including last year's remarkable run to the Western Conference Finals," Lakers VP and General Manager Rob Pelinka said in the announcement.

"We all want to tank Darvin for his dedication and positivity. While this was a difficult decision to make, it is the best course of action following a full review of the season. This organization will remain unwavering in its commitment to deliver championship-caliber basketball to Lakers fans around the world," Pelinka continued.

Ham's firing comes days after the team was eliminated in the first round of the NBA Playoffs by the Denver Nuggets. Ham led the Lakers for two seasons, compiling a 90-74 record.

Ham played college ball at Texas Tech and played for eight seasons in the NBA, including stints with the Detroit Pistons, Atlanta Hawks, Bucks, Washington Wizards, Indiana Pacers and Denver Nuggets. He was been an NBA assistant coach for more than a decade, including a 2011-13 stint with the Lakers.

He was an assistant for the Atlanta Hawks before joining the Bucks coaching staff as an assistant in 2018, remaining there until he was hired as Lakers coach to replace the ousted Frank Vogel.

The Lakers lost to the Nuggets 108-106 on Wednesday to end their playoff hopes, losing the series 4-1. It was the second straight year the Nuggets eliminated the Lakers. The Nuggets went on to win the NBA title last year.

City News Service contributed to this report.