Nick Nurse, who led Toronto to the 2019 NBA championship, was fired as coach Friday. Raptors president Masai Ujiri said the team needed "new momentum" after a season ended with a record of 41 wins and as many losses.
Nurse led the Raptors to the title in 2019, after defeating two-time defending champion Golden State Warriors in the Finals. He was named NBA Coach of the Year in 2020. Ime Udoka, the former Boston Celtics coach who was a finalist last season, is the favorite.