Democracy Dies in Darkness

Suns fire Frank Vogel after one season that fell short of expectations

Phoenix entered the season as NBA title contenders, but it never hit its stride with Kevin Durant, Devin Booker and Bradley Beal.

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Frank Vogel guided the Suns to a 49-33 regular season record, but a season that began with championship aspirations ended with a sweep in the first round of the playoffs. (Abbie Parr/AP)
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The Phoenix Suns fired Frank Vogel on Thursday, less than two weeks after his first season as coach ended with a first-round sweep against the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Vogel, 50, was hired with a five-year, $31 million contract last summer to replace Monty Williams, who was let go by new Suns owner Mat Ishbia following a second-round playoff exit against the Denver Nuggets. A defensive-minded coach who led the Los Angeles Lakers to the 2020 NBA title, Vogel was tasked with bringing together a new-look roster built around Kevin Durant, Devin Booker and Bradley Beal, who was acquired last summer in a blockbuster trade with the Washington Wizards.