Rockets will not keep Adelman as coach

HOUSTON—Rick Adelman will not be retained next season as coach of the Houston Rockets after his contract expires on June 30, the National Basketball Association team said Monday.

General manager Daryl Morey said in a statement Monday night that the decision came after “numerous discussions and careful consideration.”

Adelman went 193-135 in four season with the Rockets.

“It has been a privilege and an honor to work with and learn from Rick during these past four years,” Morey said.

“These situations are always difficult, but we would like to personally thank Rick and his staff for their efforts the past four seasons and we wish them the best in their future pursuits.”

Adelman, 64, guided Houston past Minnesota 121-102 last Wednesday for his 945th career NBA triumph, moving alone into eighth on the NBA’s all-time win list.

The Rockets won their only playoff series since 1997 by reaching the second round in 2009 under Adelman, who arrived in 2007 with the mandate to build a winning club around Chinese star center Yao Ming and Tracy McGrady.

Both stars were slowed by injuries, Yao still working to return after several foot injuries, one of them coming in the 2009 run that sidelined him for the entire 2009-10 campaign.

Yao played in only five games this past season due to a left ankle injury.

The Rockets missed the playoffs this season with a 43-39 record.