Knicks fire Derek Fisher, name Kurt Rambis interim coach

Sitting near the bottom of the Eastern Conference at 23-31, the New York Knicks have decided to cut ties with head coach Derek Fisher, the team confirmed Monday.

Kurt Rambis has been named interim coach.

Fisher, who moved straight from playing to coaching in 2014, compiled a 40-96 record with the Knicks. There had been rumblings about Fisher's job security earlier this season, but the move still comes as something of a surprise. The Knicks have lost five in a row going into Tuesday's game, and nine of their last 10.

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Fisher was also involved in an off-court incident with Memphis Grizzlies forward Matt Barnes before the season, something that precipitated an NBA investigation and a suspension for Barnes.

Rambis started as an assistant with the Knicks this season. He previously coached the Los Angeles Lakers and Minnesota Timberwolves, compiling a 56-145 career head coaching record.

Fisher is the fifth head coach to be fired this season, and it's not yet the All-Star break. He joins Lionel Hollins, David Blatt, Kevin McHale, and Jeff Hornacek in losing their jobs.