A source close to the Milwaukee Bucks organization revealed Sunday evening that head coach Doc Rivers will not be returning for another season with the team.
The individual, who requested anonymity since no official statement has been released, confirmed the coaching change to The Associated Press.
According to the source, discussions are still taking place about whether Rivers might remain with the organization in a different role.
ESPN was the first outlet to report Rivers’ departure from the coaching position.
This development concludes a challenging season that saw Rivers earn Hall of Fame recognition while simultaneously guiding one of the NBA’s most underperforming teams. Milwaukee finished with a 32-50 record due to numerous player injuries, ending their nine-year streak of playoff qualifications.
The 64-year-old coach had strongly hinted at his future plans as the season came to a close. Following Sunday’s 126-106 defeat in Philadelphia, Rivers told reporters that “I think you guys pretty much know” his intentions and indicated an announcement would come shortly.
“I have seven grandkids now and they’re all 8 years and under,” Rivers had explained regarding his future plans before an April 7 game against Brooklyn. “And it kills me every time I miss grandparents’ day with each one of them in school. And it’s probably time to go see them more. So, I’ll let you figure out the rest.”
During his two-and-a-half seasons leading Milwaukee, Rivers compiled a 97-103 record. His career coaching record stands at 1,194-866, having surpassed George Karl this season to claim sixth place on the NBA’s all-time wins list.
Rivers trails only Gregg Popovich, Don Nelson, Lenny Wilkens, Jerry Sloan and Pat Riley in total coaching victories.
Rivers’ departure occurs amid ongoing questions about two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo, who brought Milwaukee its first championship in 50 years in 2021 and holds virtually every franchise statistical record.
Trade speculation surrounding Antetokounmpo intensified before the deadline, though he remained with the team. He has since been involved in a dispute with team management regarding his injury status.
Antetokounmpo’s final game this season occurred on March 15. Despite claiming he felt healthy and ready to play in recent weeks, the Bucks continued to sideline him due to a left knee hyperextension and bone bruise. The NBA is currently investigating this situation.
Due to right calf injuries, Antetokounmpo missed significant time and participated in only 36 games. Kevin Porter Jr., the team’s second-highest scorer, played in just 38 contests.
“It’s hard,” Rivers commented Sunday. “I don’t remember guys being out like this, but it makes sense. I haven’t had a lot of this. It’s no fun. Losing, I don’t give a crap what the reasons are, I’m just too competitive. It’s just no fun not winning. It just isn’t.”
Rivers assumed control of the Bucks during the 2023-24 season following the dismissal of first-year coach Adrian Griffin. Despite Griffin’s 30-13 record, team leadership felt an experienced coach was necessary to manage a roster featuring seven-time All-NBA guard Damian Lillard alongside Antetokounmpo.
The hiring also marked a return home for Rivers, who attended Marquette University before his 13-year NBA playing career. His retired No. 31 jersey is displayed at Fiserv Forum, which hosts both Bucks and Marquette games.
However, Milwaukee’s performance declined under Rivers as injury problems persisted with key players.
The Bucks went 17-19 under Rivers during that 2023-24 campaign, secured the Eastern Conference’s No. 3 playoff seed, but fell to Indiana 4-2 in the first round while Antetokounmpo sat out the entire series with a calf injury.
This past season, three-time All-Star Khris Middleton didn’t begin playing until early December following ankle surgeries and was traded to Washington at the deadline. Lillard missed Milwaukee’s final 14 regular season games with deep vein thrombosis in his right calf, returned for Game 2 of their first-round playoff loss to Indiana, but suffered an Achilles tear two games later.
With Lillard unable to play this season due to his injury, the Bucks released him while agreeing to pay his remaining contract over five years. This created salary cap room to sign former Indiana Pacers center Myles Turner.
The roster changes failed to produce the desired results.
“I personally have enjoyed the challenge,” Rivers said following Sunday’s game. “It didn’t go the way I wanted it to go, obviously. I always say I could do a better job. We could have had better health. We could have had all kinds of things. But I’m not a big guy in looking back. All you can do is look forward.”
Rivers captured a championship with Boston in 2008 and guided the Celtics to Game 7 of the NBA Finals two years later, but hasn’t taken a team past the conference semifinals since then. His playoff coaching record is 114-112.
This represents the first complete season Rivers has coached with a losing record since 2006-07, when Boston finished 24-58.
Before joining Milwaukee, Rivers coached the Orlando Magic, Boston Celtics, Los Angeles Clippers and Philadelphia 76ers. He was working as a broadcaster for ESPN and ABC when the Bucks recruited him.
