National Basketball Association

Cavs fire Byron Scott as coach

Published Apr. 18, 2013 1:00 a.m. ET

foxsports

The Cleveland Cavaliers have fired coach Byron Scott after three losing seasons.

Scott went 64-166 with the Cavs, who were weakened by injuries this season but also showed little progress. Scott was informed he would not be coming back on Thursday, one day after Cleveland closed a frustrating season with its sixth straight loss and finished 24-58 - the NBA's third-worst record.

Scott has one season left on his contract. The Cavs picked up his option for 2014 in October.

The Cavs' three seasons under Scott were among the worst in franchise history. He isn't solely to blame, but his young team in 2013 seemed to tune him out down the stretch, leaving owner Dan Gilbert no choice but to make a coaching change for the second time in four years.

The Cavaliers closed the season with a 105-98 loss to Charlotte on Wednesday night. It was their sixth straight loss, and the 16th in their last 18 games.

On Wednesday, Scott said the season has been `'frustrating'' because the Cavaliers `'haven't had our full complement of players. It is still a growing process. I think our guys are still getting better and next year I hope that we'll be healthy.''

As for his future, Scott, before the season finale, said, `'Yeah, I have a year on my contract, (so) unless they tell me otherwise I plan on being back.''

Cleveland finished 25 1/2 games behind Indiana in the Central Division.

`You take away the positives and negatives and what you need to work on for next season,'' Cleveland guard Kyrie Irving said Wednesday night. `'We'll come back collectively in September and come back a better ballclub. That's the main goal. (but) we're not going to win a lot of games if we continue to be the last place team in defensive field goal percentage.''