NEW YORK -- The Brooklyn Nets have hired Hawks assistant Kenny Atkinson as their new coach.
Atkinson spent the last four seasons in Atlanta, with the Hawks making the playoffs each year. Before that, he was an assistant for the New York Knicks for four seasons.
Nets general manager Sean Marks said in a release Sunday: "Kenny's years of NBA coaching experience working under successful head coaches such as Mike Budenholzer and Mike D'Antoni have provided him with the foundation and experience we were looking for in a head coach."
The Nets fired second-year coach Lionel Hollins in January with the team off to a 10-27 start.
Atkinson will remain with the Hawks through their playoff run.
A native of nearby Huntington, New York, on Long Island, the 48-year-old Atkinson starred at Richmond then played professionally in Europe (see full story).
Celtics: Bradley likely out opening series
ATLANTA -- Boston Celtics guard Avery Bradley is likely out for the rest of the opening-round playoff series against the Atlanta Hawks with a hamstring injury.
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Coach Brad Stevens made the announcement Sunday before the Celtics practiced at Georgia Tech.
Bradley went down with a severely strained right hamstring in the fourth quarter of Game 1. The Celtics rallied from a 19-point deficit but lost 102-101, largely because they unable to contain Hawks point guard Jeff Teague without their best perimeter defender.
Stevens said Bradley is out for Game 2 on Tuesday night and doubtful to return for the rest of the best-of-seven series.
The Celtics will need Marcus Smart and Evan Turner to take on bigger roles. Also, rookies R.J. Hunter and Terry Rozier could get more playing time.
