BARRIO (TSN) – The Toronto Raptors announced that the man who led the team to the 2019 NBA championship will not be returning as head coach next season.

ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reports former Boston Celtics coach Ime Udoka is expected to be a “serious candidate” for the now-vacant head coaching job in Toronto.

Nurse, 55, finishes his five-year tenure with the Raptors with an overall record of 227-163 with two Atlantic Division titles and three playoff appearances.

“The decision to make a change like this is never arrived at easily or taken lightly, especially when it comes to a person who has been an integral part of this franchise’s most historic accomplishments, and who has been a steady leader through some of our team’s most challenging times. As we reflect on Nick’s many successes, we thank him and his family, and wish them the best in future,” Vice-Chairman and President Masai Ujiri said in a press release.

“This is an opportunity for us to reset, to refocus, to put into place the personnel and the players who will help us reach our goal of winning our next championship.”

The Raptors missed the playoffs in 2023, falling 109-105 to the Chicago Bulls in the 9-10 Eastern Conference Play-In game.

(Posted April 21, 2023)