Lakers officially part ways with Frank Vogel.
The Lakers made it official, parting ways with Frank Vogel after three seasons as the Lakers head coach one day after the final regular-season game. In his three-year tenure, the Lakers won 127–98 games, making the playoffs two of those three seasons, bringing home an NBA championship in 2020 at the rigorous bubble in Orlando.
Moments after the Lakers’ 146–141 win against the Denver Nuggets, ESPN was the first to announce that Vogel would be fired as soon as Monday, creating the bizarre sensation of a coach walking out to talk about his final game knowing he was set to be let go of head coach duties.
Vogel’s job security had been rumored to be in jeopardy for months, and his firing was largely predicted after a 33–49 season.
“I haven’t been told (expletive), and I’m going to enjoy tonight’s game,” Vogel said. “We’ll deal with tomorrow, tomorrow.”
The timing of the news, which came as the buzzer rang on the season’s final game, disgusted some members of the team’s staff, according to the Southern California News Group. While ESPN reported that the Lakers’ decision will be “shared with him as soon as Monday,” Vogel said that the news reached him in the locker room while he was attempting to savor what was possibly his final victory.
“It was always about us. It was never about him. Kudos to Frank.” Malik Monk said, praising Vogel after Sunday’s final game.
After the All-Star break, the Lakers finished with a 6–18 record, ultimately deciding to part ways. Even though injuries to Anthony Davis (42 games missed) and LeBron James (26 games lost) all season, prevented Vogel from relying on the two talents that could catapult him to the top of the West, the Lakers still struggled late in the season, losing vital games to teams like San Antonio, Houston, and New Orleans.
The Lakers’ season-ending victories over Oklahoma City and Denver were their first in a row since Jan. 7. They were ousted from the playoffs for the sixth time in a row on Tuesday in Phoenix.