Doc Rivers has stepped down as head coach of the Milwaukee Bucks after the team missed the NBA playoffs, finishing with a disappointing 32-50 record. The Bucks ended the season in 11th place in the Eastern Conference, significantly behind the playoff spots.
The Milwaukee Bucks finished off a disappointing season on Sunday, April 12, with a 126-106 loss to the Philadelphia 76ers.
The Bucks, who won the NBA title just five years ago, struggled to a 32-50 record. In fact, they ended the 2025-26 season in the 11th spot in the Eastern Conference, a full 11 games behind the 10th-place Miami Heat.
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Milwaukee superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo played a career-low 36 games due to multiple injuries. He missed the team’s final 15 games.
But after Sunday’s game, the Bucks decided at least part of the blame belonged to head coach Doc Rivers. ESPN NBA reporter Shams Charania reported Rivers is out as Milwaukee had coach after two-plus seasons.
Charania and The Athletic’s Eric Nehm and Sam Amick reported the team and Rivers are discussing an advisory role. That’s because Rivers has one year remaining on his contract.
“I can tell you we’re all on the same page,” Rivers said about the plan discussed with the organization, per The Athletic. “We’ve talked about it, and we want it out pretty quick. I just want them to do it; it’s better. But I think you guys pretty much know.”
Rivers, who led the 2007-08 Boston Celtics to an NBA crown, finished 97-103 with the Bucks. He took over for Adrian Griffin in January 2024. The Bucks went 48-34 in Rivers’ first full season but fell in the first round of the playoffs twice during Rivers’ tenure.
On Monday morning, the Milwaukee Bucks officially announced Rivers’ departure on X.
“I have truly loved my time in Milwaukee,” Rivers said in the team’s announcement. “Coming back to where I got my start, to a city that has always embraced me, has been a privilege. I am disappointed that things did not turn out the way any of us hoped, but I am deeply grateful for this experience, the relationships built, and unwavering support from our fans and the community. Milwaukee will always mean a lot to me, and this chapter will hold a special place in my heart.”
Rivers, who played his college ball at nearby Marquette, enjoyed a 13-year NBA playing career before becoming a head coach. He ranks sixth in regular-season victories (1,194) and fourth in playoff wins (114) among head coaches in NBA history.
Finally, the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame selected Rivers for induction as a member of the Class of 2026.
Doc Rivers stepped down as head coach following a disappointing season where the Bucks failed to make the playoffs.
The Milwaukee Bucks finished the season with a record of 32 wins and 50 losses.
Giannis Antetokounmpo played a career-low 36 games this season due to multiple injuries, missing the final 15 games of the season.
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