Raptors sign Nurse to multi-year contract extension
Posted September 15, 2020 11:16 am.
Last Updated September 15, 2020 3:53 pm.
One key component of the Toronto Raptors is staying in the 6ix.
The team has signed head coach Nick Nurse to a multi-year contract extension, the Raptors announced on Tuesday.
“Our confidence in Nick just continues to grow, and part of that comes from what we’ve experienced together,” Raptors president Masai Ujiri said in a statement.
“The past two seasons have been unlike any other in our team’s history – first, winning our championship, and then navigating a global pandemic and committing long-term to the fight against racism and for social justice.”
Nurse came to the NBA after several successful years in the NBA G League – where he was the only coach to lead two different teams to the league championship (in 2011 and 2013).
After spending five seasons as an assistant coach, Nurse was named Dwane Casey’s replacement at the start of the 2018-2019 season, guiding the Raptors to a 58-24 record and their first-ever NBA title.
This season, despite NBA superstar Kawhi Leonard departing as a free agent, Nurse and the Raptors finished with a 53-19 record, the league’s second-ranked defense, and a franchise-best .736 winning percentage. He was later recognized as the NBA’s Coach of the Year.
“Toronto has been my home for the past seven years, and I look forward to it being home for many more,” Nurse said on Tuesday.
“I’ve watched this franchise grow and reach the pinnacle, and I look forward to the challenge of helping us win another championship.”
Since taking over as Toronto’s lead coach, Nurse has compiled a 111-43 regular season record, as well as a 24-13 mark in the playoffs.
