The Cleveland Cavaliers fired coach Tyronn Lue on Sunday, according to multiple reports from The Athletic, ESPN and The Associated Press.
The Cavaliers are off to a 0-6 start without LeBron James, who left Cleveland this summer for the second time in his career and signed with the Los Angeles Lakers as a free agent.
The Cavs weren't showing enough progress under Lue and the team decided it was time for a change before the situation worsened, said the people, who spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because the team has not commented on the move.
Lue guided the Cavaliers to an NBA title in 2016 - Cleveland's first pro sports championship since 1964 - and helped the team to four straight Finals.
Assistant coach Damon Jones also was fired, the two people said. A former Cavaliers player, Jones had been promoted during the offseason.
In a statement obtained by ESPN's The Undefeated, Lue expressed his gratitude for the players, coaches and fans in Cleveland.
"My time here in Cleveland was truly special," Lue says in the statement. "I am very grateful for the dedication, sacrifice, and support of all the players on our team, the tremendous coaches I worked with and of course, our incredible fans.
