Fitzsimmons Hands Reins To Ainge

Cotton Fitzsimmons quit as coach of the Phoenix Suns, turning over the winless team to assistant Danny Ainge following a 92-89 loss Thursday night to the previously winless Vancouver Grizzlies.

Fitzsimmons had planned to accede to Ainge at the end of this, his 21st season as an NBA coach. But the Suns’ worst start in 11 years led Fitzsimmons to change that plan. The Suns are 0-8.

Los Angeles Lakers forward Cedric Ceballos will be sidelined 6-8 weeks because of a partial tear of the patella tendon in his right knee.