Head coach Bill Fitch resigned on this day in 1983 after four seasons as the team’s head coach, with whom he won an NBA championship in 1981.
Being swept by the Milwaukee Bucks in four games in the Eastern Conference Semis the season prior was likely a factor, as was the sale of the team by owner Harry Mangurian.
Legendary general manager Red Auerbach stepping into a more advisory role was another. “Without Harry being here, and with Red having said he won’t be here for another five years and eat Chinese food with me, a change is good,” said Fitch (via the New York Times).