The Phoenix Suns went into the 2024-25 season with a lot of hype to be one of the top teams in the Western Conference.
However, they finished the regular season with a 36-46 record, which had them as the 11th seed in the Western Conference.
After missing the 2025 NBA playoffs, the Suns have now announced that head coach Mike Budenholzer has been fired.
Via The Phoenix Suns: “OFFICIAL: The Phoenix Suns announced today that the organization has relieved head coach Mike Budenholzer of his duties.
The Suns released the following statement:
Competing at the highest level remains our goal, and we failed to meet expectations this season. Our fans deserve better. Change is needed.”
OFFICIAL: The Phoenix Suns announced today that the organization has relieved head coach Mike Budenholzer of his duties.
The Suns released the following statement:
Competing at the highest level remains our goal, and we failed to meet expectations this season. Our fans deserve…— Phoenix Suns (@Suns) April 14, 2025
Many people reacted to the news.
Underdog NBA:
“2025: Suns fire Mike Budenholzer
2024: Suns fire Frank Vogel
2023: Suns fire Monty Williams”
2025: Suns fire Mike Budenholzer
2024: Suns fire Frank Vogel
2023: Suns fire Monty Williams— Underdog NBA (@UnderdogNBA) April 14, 2025
Evan Sidery: “If Mike Budenholzer decides to not pursue any coaching opportunities, he will be paid $10 million a year from the Suns until 2029.
$40 million still remain on Budenholzer’s contract.”
If Mike Budenholzer decides to not pursue any coaching opportunities, he will be paid $10 million a year from the Suns until 2029.
$40 million still remain on Budenholzer’s contract. pic.twitter.com/A0EvlDR62m
— Evan Sidery (@esidery) April 14, 2025
Gerald Bourguet: “Firing 3 coaches in 3 seasons is obviously a bad look for the Suns, and their problems run deeper than that.
But anyone positioning Mike Budenholzer as the scapegoat in this situation wasn’t paying attention to what happened in Phoenix this season. Firing him was the right move”
Firing 3 coaches in 3 seasons is obviously a bad look for the Suns, and their problems run deeper than that.
But anyone positioning Mike Budenholzer as the scapegoat in this situation wasn’t paying attention to what happened in Phoenix this season. Firing him was the right move
— Gerald Bourguet (@GeraldBourguet) April 14, 2025
@ScottHoward42: “Mike Budenholzer beat the Suns in the NBA Finals and lead them to one of the most embarrassing seasons in franchise history. He’s the Robert Horry of Suns coaches.”
Mike Budenholzer beat the Suns in the NBA Finals and lead them to one of the most embarrassing seasons in franchise history. He’s the Robert Horry of Suns coaches.
— Scott Howard (@ScottHoward42) April 14, 2025
@Not___KC: “Budenholzer should never have taken that job. Phoenix was a sinking ship and he jumped on”
Budenholzer should never have taken that job. Phoenix was a sinking ship and he jumped on
— K.C. (@Not___KC) April 14, 2025
Law Murray: “That is as terse as it gets. A failed homecoming for Mike Budenholzer”
That is as terse as it gets. A failed homecoming for Mike Budenholzer pic.twitter.com/38xLPzHxjn
— Law Murray 💭🚫 (@LawMurrayTheNU) April 14, 2025
John Gambadoro: “No I do NOT expect the Suns to consider Mike Malone or Taylor Jenkins to be their next coach for those that are asking.”
No I do NOT expect the Suns to consider Mike Malone or Taylor Jenkins to be their next coach for those that are asking.
— John Gambadoro (@Gambo987) April 14, 2025
Budenholzer has also coached the Atlanta Hawks and Milwaukee Bucks.
