NBA notebook: Pelicans fire coach Williams


In five seasons, Williams led the Pelicans to the postseason twice and an overall record of 173-221. Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

The New Orleans Pelicans fired head coach Monty Williams on Tuesday.

In five seasons, Williams led the Pelicans to the postseason twice and an overall record of 173-221.

The Pelicans finished 45-37 this season, earning the eighth seed in the playoffs, where they lost in the first round to the Golden State Warriors in four games.

Williams had a year remaining on his contract.

The Pelicans have scheduled a Tuesday news conference.

–Chicago Bulls forward Pau Gasol was ruled out for Tuesday night’s Game 5 against the Cavaliers in Cleveland, the second straight NBA playoff game that Gasol will miss because of a hamstring injury.

Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau had said earlier that Gasol’s status would be a game-time decision, but after Gasol went through a series of stretching exercises in Tuesday morning’s shootaround, it was determined Tuesday afternoon that Gasol could not play.

Thibodeau said Gasol had improved “a little bit,” but it remains to be seen whether Gasol will be able to play in Game 6 scheduled for Thursday in Chicago.

–The Sacramento Kings retained David Arseneault Jr. as coach of their NBA Development League franchise in Reno, picking up his contract option.

The 28-year-old Arseneault completed his first season last month with the Bighorns, who posted a 20-30 record.

Reno led the D-League in scoring at 133.1 points per game, 3-pointers made and attempted with 17.2 and 46.9 per game, and assists (26.8 per game). The Bighorns also set a D-League record with 31 3-pointers made in a Jan. 31 win over Santa Cruz.

–The NBA Draft will be held in Brooklyn for the third straight year.

The league announced the draft will take place at 7 p.m. June 25 at the Barclays Center.

The NBA Draft Lottery will be held May 19 and held in New York. The lottery determines the first 14 picks.