LA Lakers Sack Head Coach Frank Vogel After Disappointing NBA Season

12th April 2022

The Lakers finished the 2021-2022 campaign in 11th place in the Western Conference, missing out on the postseason with a dismal record of 33 wins and 49 losses.

Head coach Frank Vogel and LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers walk on the court during a timeout due to a goal being knocked out of position during action against the Portland Trail Blazers in the first half in Game 1 of Round 1 of the NBA Playoffs at AdventHealth Arena at ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on August 18, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. PHOTO | AFP
Head coach Frank Vogel and LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers walk on the court during a timeout due to a goal being knocked out of position during action against the Portland Trail Blazers in the first half in Game 1 of Round 1 of the NBA Playoffs at AdventHealth Arena at ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on August 18, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. PHOTO | AFP
SUMMARY
  • Frank Vogel was sacked as head coach of the Los Angeles Lakers on Monday, saying a change of leadership was needed after the club’s shock failure to reach the playoffs
  • Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka confirmed Vogel’s dismissal in a statement, a day after the club’s miserable campaign drew to a close


Frank Vogel was sacked as head coach of the Los Angeles Lakers on Monday, saying a change of leadership was needed after the club’s shock failure to reach the playoffs.

Speculation over Vogel’s future intensified after the Lakers’ final regular season game on Sunday, with ESPN reporting that the coach — who led the franchise to a 17th NBA championship in 2020 – would be fired.

Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka confirmed Vogel’s dismissal in a statement, a day after the club’s miserable campaign drew to a close.

"This is an incredibly difficult decision to make, but one we feel is necessary at this point.

"Today’s not going to be a day of finger-pointing or unwinding all the specific reasons, we just felt organizationally, that it was time for a new voice," Pelinka stated.

The sacking came as Lakers players addressed the media in end-of-season interviews.

Lakers superstar LeBron James said before the dismissal was confirmed he had “nothing but respect” for Vogel.

The Lakers finished the 2021-2022 campaign in 11th place in the Western Conference, missing out on the postseason with a dismal record of 33 wins and 49 losses.

It is only the fourth time in James’ career that he has failed to reach the playoffs, and the second time it has happened since he joined the Lakers in 2018.

The team had been tipped as championship contenders before the season after acquiring nine-time NBA All-Star Russell Westbrook in a blockbuster trade.

But injuries meant that the Lakers were only able to field their big three of James, Westbrook and Anthony Davis in 21 games during the 82-game season.