A person familiar with the situation says the Detroit Pistons fired 15 people two weeks ago.

The person, who wasn’t authorized to speak about the team’s moves, spoke to The Associated Press on the condition of anonymity.

The job losses come as NBA owners have locked out the players after failing to reach a new collective bargaining agreement, shutting down the league for what could be a protracted work stoppage that threatens the start of the 2011-12 season.