NEW YORK, Feb. 8 (Xinhua) -- The New York Knicks fired coach Derek Fisher on Monday.

"This is a very talented team with strong character and I am confident they will succeed," Fisher said in a statement. "Obviously, I'm disappointed, but have learned an immense amount from this experience and hope to grow from it."

Fisher was hired by team president Phil Jackson, who once coached the Lakers, on which Fisher was a point guard. On firing Fisher, Jackson said that he and general manager Steve Mills made the final decision.

The Knicks, who are 23-31 this season, had lost its fifth straight game and nine of its past 10, currently sitting 12th in the Eastern Conference.