The Dallas Mavericks fired Avery Johnson on Wednesday, a day following the team's second consecutive first-round exit from the NBA playoffs, ESPN.com has learned.

Johnson became Mavs' coach during the 2004-05 season and walked away with a 194-70 record (.735) but only a 23-24 mark in the playoffs.

The Mavs have now lost 12 out of their last 15 postseason games after taking a 2-0 lead in the Finals against Miami.

Mark Cuban and Johnson engaged in an emotional argument after a March 18 home loss to the Lakers, and sources indicated that Cuban actually considered firing Johnson before the playoffs.

Both the Mavs and Johnson wanted a speedy resolution to the situation so the coach could pursue current openings in Chicago and New York.