INDEPENDENCE, Ohio — Kyrie Irving was surprised, disappointed and deeply hurt. With everything the Cavaliers’ All-Star guard has experienced during two seasons in the NBA, nothing prepared him for this.

This was as painful as any injury.

“I just lost my head coach,” Irving said, his voice barely above a whisper. “This is all new to me right now. ”

Byron Scott was fired Thursday by the Cavaliers following three losing seasons in which the team did not play well defensively or make satisfactory progress for owner Dan Gilbert. Scott was dismissed one day after the Cavs finished an 82-game rollercoaster of a season that included injuries, blown leads, uninspired performances and a dismal final month.