Suns fire coach Frank Johnson

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Sun sets on Frank Johnson

By Greg Boeck, USA TODAY
PHOENIX — Frank Johnson became the third NBA coach since the beginning of the 2003-04 regular season to get fired when the Phoenix Suns replaced him with assistant coach Mike D'Antoni on Wednesday.

The dismissal comes on the heels of a 1-3 road trip that included losses to struggling Orlando and Miami. The Suns are 8-13 overall — the second-worst record in the Western Conference.

D'Antoni takes over a team that is without injured star Amare Stoudemire and rookie Zarko Cabarkapa. The former Denver Nuggets coach makes his debut at home against New Orleans.

"This will be my seventh coach in 11 years," said Suns guard Penny Hardaway.

Johnson's record in his three seasons with Phoenix was 63-71 and included a playoff appearance last season. The Suns fell to the eventual champion Spurs in the first round but took San Antonio to six games.

The Magic fired Doc Rivers earlier this season while the Chicago Bulls dismissed Bill Cartwright.

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