BRISTOL, Conn., Dec. 15 (UPI) -- It was reported Saturday that the Golden State Warriers have fired coach Dave Cowens, one day after he kicked point guard Mookie Blaylock out of practice.
According to the report, Cowens will be replaced by assistant Brian Winters, who will coach the team for the remainder of the season.
The Warriors were unavailable for comment.
Since beginning the season 5-3, the Warriors have dropped 12 of 15 games, with Cowens becoming increasingly frustrated. Golden State suffered a 105-100 home loss to the Orlando Magic on Friday.
It was reported that Cowens kicked Blaylock out of practice Friday because he "wasn't ready" to practice and "didn't respond" to instruction.
After a three-month stint as an assistant under Garry St. Jean, Cowens was named coach on April 18, 2000. In parts of two seasons, he posted a 25-80 record, including a 17-65 mark in 2000-01.
Cowens led the Charlotte Hornets to a pair of 50-win seasons in 1996-97 and 1997-98 but was fired early in the 1998-99 campaign after a 4-11 start. He has a career coaching mark of 161-191.
Winters served as coach the Vancouver Grizzlies from 1995-97.
