Doc Rivers Steps Down as Milwaukee Bucks Coach After Three Seasons

TL;DR

Doc Rivers has been dismissed as head coach of the Milwaukee Bucks after three seasons, following a disappointing 32-50 record and the team's first missed postseason since 2016. The Bucks will begin their third coaching search in as many years.

Key points

Doc Rivers fired after three seasons with the Bucks
Milwaukee finished with a 32-50 record this season
Bucks missed postseason for the first time since 2016
Rivers' record with the team was 97-103
Bucks to conduct their third coaching search in three years

Mentioned in this story

Doc Rivers

Milwaukee Bucks

Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images

The Milwaukee Bucks are moving on from Doc Rivers after three seasons, ending a rocky stretch that saw the franchise slide from championship expectations to the lottery.

According to ESPN, Rivers has been dismissed following Milwaukee’s 32-50 finish and the organization’s first missed postseason since 2016. The Bucks are now preparing for their third coaching search in as many years.

Rivers leaves Milwaukee with a 97-103 record, including back-to-back first-round playoff exits in 2024 and 2025 before this season’s collapse. The Bucks are still expected to pay Rivers the remainder of his eight-figure salary for the 2026-27 season, though discussions are ongoing about whether he could remain with the franchise in an advisory role.

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The decision caps off a turbulent period for one of the NBA’s most recognizable franchises. Milwaukee won a championship under Mike Budenholzer in 2021, but the team has not won a playoff series since 2022.

Budenholzer was fired in 2023, Adrian Griffin lasted just 43 games despite a 30-13 start, and Rivers was brought in midway through the 2023-24 season after initially serving as an informal consultant.

Rivers went 17-19 after taking over for Griffin, then led Milwaukee to a 48-34 record in his first full season.

But this year unraveled quickly. Team sources told ESPN there was a growing disconnect between Rivers and the locker room throughout the season, with several players becoming frustrated by his approach.

After Milwaukee’s final loss of the season, Rivers acknowledged that the year never came together the way he had hoped.

Q&A

Why was Doc Rivers fired as Milwaukee Bucks coach?

Doc Rivers was fired due to the Bucks' disappointing 32-50 record and their first missed postseason since 2016.

What is Doc Rivers' coaching record with the Milwaukee Bucks?

Doc Rivers finished his tenure with a 97-103 record, including two consecutive first-round playoff exits.

What are the Milwaukee Bucks' plans after firing Doc Rivers?

The Bucks are preparing for their third coaching search in three years and are discussing the possibility of Rivers remaining with the franchise in an advisory role.