Doc Rivers latest coach to lose job after failing to advance in playoffs
May 16, 2023, 9:31 AM
Head Coach Doc Rivers of the Philadelphia 76ers reacts against the Boston Celtics during the first quarter in game six of the Eastern Conference Semifinals in the 2023 NBA Playoffs at Wells Fargo Center on May 11, 2023 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)
(Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)
Doc Rivers appears to be the latest coaching domino to fall.
According to multiple reports, the Philadelphia 76ers have let go of Rivers just days after the team lost 112-88 in Game 7 to the Boston Celtics.
Rivers joined Philadelphia three years ago, delivering a 154-82 record, however, he was unable to get the 76ers past the second round in his tenure. Daryl Morey, the 76ers President of Basketball Operations, released a statement saying Doc Rivers is “one of the most successful coaches in NBA history” and someone he “respected imm
“We’re grateful for all he did in his three seasons here and thank him for the important impact he made on our franchise. After having the chance to reflect upon our season, we decided that certain changes are necessary to further our goals of competing for a championship.”
The Sixers’ search for a new coach is expected to include Mike Budenholzer, Sam Cassell, Mike D’Antoni, Nick Nurse, Frank Vogel and Monty Williams, sources tell ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) May 16, 2023
Doc wasn’t the first successful coach to be let go after making the playoff. The first domino fell when the number one-seeded Milwaukee Bucks were upset by the eight-seeded Miami Heat in five games. The team fired Mike Budenholzer shortly after the series.
Next, came Monty Williams and the Phoenix Suns. Loaded with Kevin Durant and Devin Booker, the Suns fell to the Denver Nuggets in six games. Williams was then let go.
Outside of teams that made the playoffs, the Toronto Raptors let go of Nick Nurse after they lost to the Chicago Bulls in the NBA Play-In Tournament. Williams, Nurse and Budenholzer won three of the past five NBA Coach of the Year awards. The Detroit Pistons are also still looking to fill their coaching vacancy.
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