Hawks’ McMillan says he has no plans to retire midseason

In response to a story that quoted unknown sources, Hawks head coach Nate McMillan denied such claims on Friday.

McMillan denied reports in The Athletic that he could resign before the end of the season.

To that end, “We have a race to prepare for,” McMillan remarked. But the things that were published, look, I’m here to coach this year, and I’ve talked to (owner) Tony Ressler many times, and our objective is to make the playoffs. We’re working hard to get our guys healthy and make another run at the playoffs. And it is the goal that I am striving for.”

McMillan, 58, said he was stunned by the news but had no immediate response. Currently in his third year with the Hawks, the team is 17-18 and sits in ninth place in the Eastern Conference.

I skimmed the item,” he said. That reporter and I had never spoken before. In the last two weeks, I believe, he has published a couple of pieces with some sources in our company that make some remarks about me and certain things that I am doing and doing.

“Look, I’ll do the same thing at the end of the year as I have in the past. I’ll have a chat with the folks and see if we can keep the spark alive for next year, but as for this one, it’s out. There is much discussion of retirement at the end of each season. We are done with that chapter of our lives.