Report: Doc Rivers finalizing deal to coach Bucks

Field Level Media|published: Wed 24th January, 12:08 2024

May 9, 2023; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Philadelphia 76ers head coach Doc Rivers in the second half during game five of the 2023 NBA playoffs against the Boston Celtics at TD Garden. credits: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports

Doc Rivers has reached an agreement to become head coach of the Milwaukee Bucks, ESPN reported Wednesday.

Rivers, 62, coached the Boston Celtics to an NBA championship in 2007-08 and most recently spent three seasons as coach of the Philadelphia 76ers (2020-23).

Rivers has a record of 1,097-763 (.590) with the Orlando Magic (1999-2003), Celtics (2004-13), Los Angeles Clippers (2013-20) and Sixers.

He was the NBA Coach of the Year in 1999-2000 and ranks ninth on the all-time list for coaching wins. Rivers was an All-Star point guard who played 864 games in the league from 1983-96.

The Bucks dismissed first-year coach Adrian Griffin on Tuesday despite having the second-best record (30-13) in the Eastern Conference.

Per ESPN sources, Milwaukee fired the 49-year-old Griffin "largely because the organization came to believe they could find an upgrade on the young coach that gave them a better chance to compete for a championship."

Joe Prunty was named the interim coach and presumably will lead the Bucks against the visiting Cleveland Cavaliers on Wednesday night.

—Field Level Media