New York: Portland Trail Blazers fired head coach Nate McMillan after almost seven years at the helm. The sacking Thursday came in the aftermath of a 79-121 defeat against the Knicks in New York Wednesday night, the seventh loss in nine games for the National Basketball Association (NBA) team, which began the season winning seven of its first nine and now occupies last place in the Northwest Division with a 20-23 mark.

The sacking Thursday came in the aftermath of a 79-121 defeat against the Knicks in New York Wednesday night, the seventh loss in nine games for the club, which began the season winning seven of its first nine and now occupies last place in the Northwest Division with a 20-23 mark.

Assistant coach Kaleb Canales will finish the season as interim head coach, Xinhua reported.

McMillan racked up a 266-269 record with the franchise, since coming over from the rivals Seattle SuperSonics prior to the 2005-06 season.

He led the Blazers to three straight playoff appearances from 2009-11 but his teams were 6-12 in the post season, losing in the first round in each of the past three seasons.

This year, the Blazers again suffered serious injury setbacks, with former All-Star guard Brandon Roy forced into retirement because of his troublesome knees.

IANS