Toronto • The Toronto Raptors have fired Dwane Casey after the team was swept in the playoffs by the Cleveland Cavaliers for the second straight season.

Toronto President Masai Ujiri on Friday called the move a "very difficult but necessary step."

He added: "As a team, we are constantly trying to grow and improve in order to get to the next level."

The move comes two days after Casey was honored as coach of the year by the National Basketball Coaches Association.