Nate McMillan will continue coaching the Hawks / News - Basketnews.com

Credit: AP – Scanpix Credit AP – Scanpix

The Atlanta Hawks president and GM Travis Schlenk announced a renewed partnership with their head coach Nate McMillan. ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reports that the deal is for four years.

Free throws this season

81%19,1Points made:19,1Accuracy:81,0%Place in standings:3Record max:35Record min:5Most made FTs:Trae YoungTeamNBAStatisticsSchedule

On November 11, 2020, the Hawks hired McMillan as an assistant coach under Lloyd Pierce. Less than four months later, McMillan was named interim head coach after the firing of Pierce. Following McMillan's promotion, Atlanta promptly went on an eight-game winning streak.

The Hawks finished the season 27-11 under McMillan's leadership, ending a four-year playoff drought and earning the fifth seed in the Eastern Conference.

Atlanta's success continued into the playoffs. They beat the New York Knicks, upset the top-seeded Philadelphia 76ers, and made it to the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time since 2015. However, the Hawks would lose the series in six games against Milwaukee Bucks.

Before becoming a coach, McMillan played 12 years in the NBA, all for the Seattle Supersonics. After the end of his playing career, the 56-year-old specialist spent seven years on the Sonics coaching staff.

He went on to coach the Portland Trail Blazers and the Indiana Pacers before striking a deal with Atlanta. Overall, he has a 688-599 mark in 17 seasons as a head coach. McMillan has also been a part of the coaching staff in Team USA's runs in the 2006 FIBA World Championship, the 2008 Beijing, and the 2012 London Olympics.

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