Nov. 22 (Bloomberg) -- The Oklahoma City Thunder, who have the National Basketball Association’s worst record, fired coach P.J. Carlesimo.

The Thunder are 1-12 this season, the team’s first in Oklahoma City after moving from Seattle. Assistant Scott Brooks has been named the interim coach.

“This was a very difficult decision to make,” Thunder General Manager Sam Presti said in a statement. “It is one that I felt was necessary at this time.”

The Thunder dropped their 10th straight game last night, a 105-80 home loss to the New Orleans Hornets. The teams meet again tonight in New Orleans in Brooks’s first game in charge.

Carlesimo had a 21-74 record since joining the franchise in 2007. He’s also been the coach in Portland and Golden State and has a 204-296 record during his NBA career.

Assistant coach Paul Westhead, who was hired by Carlesimo prior to last season, was also fired, the team said.

To contact the reporter on this story: Bob Bensch in London at bbensch@bloomberg.net.

Last Updated: November 22, 2008 17:30 EST