After their disappointing Eastern Conference semifinals loss to the Boston Celtics, the Philadelphia 76ers announced this Tuesday that their head coach of three seasons has been let go.
The Sixers were eliminated from the 2023 NBA playoffs with a Game 7 loss to the Celtics at TD Garden, per Bleacher Report. They fell 112-88, and it was said that Rivers was widely expected to be fired after the major “L.”
Sixers president of basketball operations Daryl Morey released a statement on the shocking news. He said: “Doc is one of the most successful coaches in NBA history, a future Hall of Famer, and someone I respect immensely. 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.”
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Rivers becomes the third coach to get to the post-season this year and then lose their job.
As previously reported, the Milwaukee Bucks fired head coach Mike Budenholzer. The firing came after the first round exit to the Heat while the Phoenix Suns dismissed Monty Williams after their second round loss to the Denver Nuggets.
More On Coaches Being Fired
Ime Udoka returned to the NBA with a new head coaching job after his big cheating scandal. Udoak who led the Celtics to a 51-31 record in his one season in Boston, was initially suspended for the full season last September and ultimately fired by the Celtics after it was revealed that he had an improper intimate relationship with a team staffer. It was later reported by The Athletic’s Shams Charania that Udoka also made “unwanted comments” to the team employee following their alleged affair.
“I want to apologize to our players, fans, the entire Celtics organization, and my family for letting them down,” Udoka, who was the fiancé of Nia Long said at the time in a statement. “I am sorry for putting the team in this difficult situation, and I accept the team’s decision. Out of respect for everyone involved, I will have no further comment.” Udoka was replaced by former assistant Joe Mazzula as Celtics head coach.
Udoka negotiated with the Brooklyn Nets earlier this season after they booted Steve Nash as their coach. It was said that Celtics were also reportedly willing to let Udoka sign with the Nets, but they ultimately chose to promote assistant Jacque Vaughn. Since then, the Rockets have decided to bring Udoka as their new head coach.
Here’s How Social Media Is Currently Reacting To The News Of Doc Rivers’ Firing
Doc Rivers clearing the search history on his Sixers devices pic.twitter.com/0vJJwJ0eVh
— Josiah Johnson (@KingJosiah54) May 16, 2023
We Expected Doc Rivers to be fired because of the love affair between Morey and Harden… but the TRUTH is that Embiid and Harden FOLDED like a fresh set of clean sheets!!!! Carry the hell on… pic.twitter.com/JJ6w7HynsS
— Kendrick Perkins (@KendrickPerkins) May 16, 2023
We picked Evan turner
We took Noel
We took okafor
We took fultz over Tatum
We let jimmy walk for Brett brown
We trusted Ben Simmons as a second option
We hired doc rivers
We paired two of the most notorious playoff chokers of the last decade togetherThe process was a failure pic.twitter.com/6K6AmAy6pr
— Benn Mathurin fan (@mathurin_szn) May 14, 2023
Damn, Doc Rivers again 😭😭😭 pic.twitter.com/70snTRPY0q
— Vishawn The Synthezoid (@dtateadams) May 16, 2023