Grizzlies fire Fratello after disappointing start

The Memphis Grizzlies fired Coach Mike Fratello on Thursday after an NBA-worst 6-24 start.

The Grizzlies’ winningest coach, Fratello had a 95-83 record and had guided Memphis to consecutive playoff appearances.

He started the season without All-Star center Pau Gasol, who broke his foot this summer in the world championships and missed the first 22 games.

“Unfortunately, this season has been one of disarray starting this past summer,” Fratello said in a statement.

Jerry West, Grizzlies president of basketball operations, announced the move, calling Fratello a great coach and friend.

The Grizzlies started on a youth movement this off-season, drafting Rudy Gay and Kyle Lowry for a more up-tempo pace. They traded veteran Shane Battier and let center Lorenzen Wright leave as a free agent.

Fratello, who succeeded Hubie Brown on Dec. 2, 2004, took the Grizzlies to the playoffs the last two seasons but they were swept in the first round.

The Grizzlies didn’t announce a new head coach.

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The Atlanta Hawks signed former Lakers forward-center Slava Medvedenko.

Medvedenko played for the Lakers from 2000 to 2006, averaging 5.4 points and 2.9 rebounds in 249 games. He was waived by the Lakers in March.

Terms of his deal with the Hawks were not released by the team.

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Miami Heat guard Dwyane Wade’s injured right wrist showed no structural damage in tests, and the team said its leading scorer was day-to-day.