Sacramento Kings fire Coach George Karl, NBA Schedule

The Sacramento Kings fired coach George Karl on Thursday, the team announced.

"After evaluating the team's performance this season, I determined it was necessary to move forward with a new voice from the head coaching position," Kings general manager Vlade Divac said in a statement. "I have a great deal of respect and admiration for George and his accomplishments throughout his nearly 30 years in the NBA. On behalf of everyone in the Kings organization, I thank him for the contributions made during his time in Sacramento and wish him good fortune in the future."

The call to make the change now was made by Divac, sources told ESPN's Marc Stein.

Divac had pushed to make a coaching change in February before Kings minority owners, according to league sources, scuttled the move, citing financial concerns and other factors. But sources said this week that Divac insisted on the change at season's end as part of his recent contract‎ extension and will now commission a deliberate, broad search in which he hopes to speak to several candidates.

Karl also nearly lost his job in November after a public dispute with center DeMarcus Cousins.

Friday, April 15 Schedule

No games scheduled

Saturday, April 16 Schedule (All Times Central)

Indiana at Toronto, 10:30 a.m.

EASTERN CONFERENCE 1ST ROUND - GAME 1

Houston at Golden State, 1:30 p.m.

WESTERN CONFERENCE 1ST ROUND - GAME 1

Boston at Atlanta, 5 p.m.

EASTERN CONFERENCE 1ST ROUND - GAME 1

Dallas at Oklahoma City, 7:30 p.m.

WESTERN CONFERENCE 1ST ROUND - GAME 1

Sunday, April 17 Schedule (All Times Central)

Detroit at Cleveland, 1 p.m.

EASTERN CONFERENCE 1ST ROUND - GAME 1

Charlotte at Miami, 3:30 p.m.

EASTERN CONFERENCE 1ST ROUND - GAME 1

Memphis at San Antonio, 6 p.m.

WESTERN CONFERENCE 1ST ROUND - GAME 1

Portland at Los Angeles, 8:30 p.m.

WESTERN CONFERENCE 1ST ROUND - GAME 1