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Come Fan with UsThursday, July 9, 2026

Lakers contact Phil Jackson, according to report

After firing Mike Brown Friday afternoon, the Lakers contacted Phil Jackson to gauge his interest in returning, according to a report from the Los Angeles Times.

Kevork Djansezian

The Los Angeles Lakers contacted Phil Jackson on Friday to gauge his interest in returning as head coach, according to a report from the Los Angeles Times.

Jackson was reportedly open to the possibility of returning after the Lakers fired Mike Brown just five games into the season. If Jackson were to return to the sidelines with Los Angeles, it would be his third stint with the Lakers. He coached Los Angeles from 1999-2004 and then again from 2005-2011. Jackson won five NBA championships with the Lakers.

After the Lakers fired Brown, Jackson was mentioned as one of the potential replacements along with former Utah coach Jerry Sloan and former New York and Phoenix coach Mike D'Antoni. There were reports earlier on Friday that former Jackson assistant coaches Kurt Rambis and Jim Cleamons would join Jackson if he returned to the Lakers.

During his first two stints with the Lakers, Jackson racked up a 610-292 regular season record while going 181-118 in the playoffs. Bernie Bickerstaff took over for Brown on an interim basis.

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