(Atlanta) Atlanta Hawks head coach Lloyd Pierce was fired on Monday following a disappointing start to the season when expectations were high.

Hawks president Travis Schlenk announced the club's decision in a short statement.

The Hawks record of 14-20 and occupy 11 ^th  place in the East after a 109-99 setback suffered in Miami on Sunday. The team plays in Miami again on Tuesday.

Schlenk said the move, which comes less than a week before the Hawks host the All-Star Game, was made at this point in order for the team to have a good second half of the season.

Pierce, hired in 2013, compiled a 63-120 (.344) record with the Hawks. He missed the playoffs in his two full seasons at the helm.