Cleveland Cavaliers fire head coach J.B. Bickerstaff after conference semi-final defeat to the Boston Celtics

The Cleveland Cavaliers fired head coach J.B. Bickerstaff on Thursday, a week on from losing to the Boston Celtics in the Eastern Conference semi-finals.

Cleveland played the final two games of the series without All-Star guard Donovan Mitchell, who played with a knee injury for over two months before suffering a calf injury in Game 4 against the Celtics.

Bickerstaff, 45, had been head coach of the side since 2020 when he took over from John Beilein midway through the season. He was under contract through to 2026.

He had ushered them through a rebuild and amassed a 170-159 regular season record in that time. 

The side made the playoffs last year for the first time since 2018, and beat the Orlando Magic in the first round this year to make the semi-finals.

But the franchise wants a fresh approach and will embark on a coaching side to land someone who can take them deeper into the playoffs.

There had been rumours of tension between Bickerstaff and the organisation, including Cavaliers President of Basketball Operations Koby Altman, throughout the season. One example being that after a December game against the Houston Rockets, Altman reportedly criticised Bickerstaff in front of his entire team for playing Donovan Mitchell for too many minutes. 

"J.B. is a well-respected NBA coach and an incredible human being," Altman said in a statement. 

"Over the past four years, he helped establish a culture that progressively drove players to become the best versions of themselves. Decisions like these are never easy, particularly when you look back at where this franchise rebuild started under his leadership."

Uncertainty enveloped the Cavs after the loss to Boston, with rumours that the roster was set to undergo an overhaul.

Naturally, Mitchell was the focus, with the guard still deciding whether to sign a long-term contract extension with the club, but reports suggest the 27-year-old is happy in Cleveland.

Golden State Warriors assistant Kenny Atkinson is expected to be among the names on the Cav's list to succeed Bickerstaff.

The side has a strong base to build a side with, including Mitchell, Darius Garland, and Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley.

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