Nets sack coach Carlesimo after playoff ouster

NEW YORK (AFP) –

Head coach P.J. Carlesimo of the Brooklyn Nets talks with players on May 4, 2013 at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn. The Nets parted company with Carlesimo on Sunday, less than 24 hours after injury-depleted Chicago ousted the Nets from the NBA playoffs with a first-round game-seven victory in Brooklyn.

The Brooklyn Nets parted company with coach P.J. Carlesimo on Sunday, less than 24 hours after injury-depleted Chicago ousted the Nets from the NBA playoffs with a first-round game-seven victory in Brooklyn.

“The Brooklyn Nets organization would like to thank P.J. for his efforts with the team in his roles as both head coach and assistant, and for his contributions to the team’s success both on and off the court,” general manager Billy King said in a statement.

Carlesimo had taken over the Nets head coaching job on an interim basis when he took over from Avery Johnson on December 27.

Over the final 54 games of the season he led the Nets to a 35-19 record as he helped the club reach the playoffs in their first season since moving from New Jersey to Brooklyn.

Under Carlesimo, the Nets reached the post-season for the first time since 2007.