MILWAUKEE (AP) 鈥� Doc Rivers is stepping down as Milwaukee Bucks coach, capping a tumultuous year in which he was selected for the Hall of Fame while his injury-riddled team fell far short of expectations.
鈥淚 have truly loved my time in Milwaukee,鈥� Rivers said Monday in a statement released by the team. 鈥淐oming 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.鈥�
The announcement comes a day after the Bucks ended a 32-50 season that snapped their run of nine straight playoff appearances. The news release announcing Rivers鈥� departure as coach didn鈥檛 indicate whether he might have any role with the team moving forward.
鈥淚t has been an honor to have Doc as our coach and as a leader in our organization and community,鈥� Bucks owners Wes Edens, Jimmy Haslam, Dee Haslam and Jamie Dinan said in a statement. 鈥淚n addition to his impact on the court, we鈥檙e thankful for Doc鈥檚 class and professionalism during his tenure in Milwaukee.鈥�
Rivers went 97-103 in 2 1/2 seasons with the Bucks. He owns a 1,194-866 overall record and overtook George Karl for sixth place on the career wins list among NBA coaches this season. The Naismith Memorial announced this month that Rivers would be part of its newest induction class.
The 64-year-old had left little doubt about his future as the season wound down.
鈥淚 have seven grandkids now and they鈥檙e all 8 years and under,鈥� about his future before an April 7 loss at Brooklyn. 鈥淎nd it kills me every time I miss grandparents鈥� day with each one of them in school. And it鈥檚 probably time to go see them more. So, I鈥檒l let you figure out the rest.鈥�
Rivers鈥� exit comes amid questions surrounding the future of two-time MVP who led Milwaukee to its in 2021 and has set Bucks career records in virtually every major statistical category.
Antetokounmpo鈥檚 status dominated league discussions as the trade deadline approached, but he wasn鈥檛 dealt. He since has been in a over his injury status.
The Antetokounmpo played was on March 15. He said in the closing weeks of the season that he was healthy and wanted to play, while the Bucks continued to rule him out because of a left knee hyperextension and bone bruise. The NBA is
Antetokounmpo had two extended absences because of right calf strains and ended up playing in just 36 games. Kevin Porter Jr., the Bucks鈥� second-leading scorer, appeared in just 38.
鈥淚t鈥檚 hard,鈥� Rivers said Sunday. 鈥淚 don鈥檛 remember guys being out like this, but it makes sense. I haven鈥檛 had a lot of this. It鈥檚 no fun. Losing, I don鈥檛 give a crap what the reasons are, I鈥檓 just too competitive. It鈥檚 just no fun not winning. It just isn鈥檛.鈥�
Rivers won a championship with Boston
Rivers won a title with Boston in 2008 and led the Celtics to Game 7 of the NBA Finals two years later, but his teams haven’t advanced beyond the regional semifinals since. He owns a career playoff record of 114-112.
This marks the first full season in which Rivers has coached and posted a losing record since 2006-07, when he went 24-58 with Boston.
Rivers came to Milwaukee after head coaching stints with the Orlando Magic, Boston, Los Angeles Clippers and Philadelphia 76ers. He was working as a broadcaster for ESPN and ABC before the Bucks hired him.
He midway through the 2023-24 season after the of first-year head coach The move represented a homecoming of sorts for Rivers, who played at Marquette before his 13-year NBA playing career. His No. 31 college jersey hangs from the rafters at Fiserv Forum, the arena that both the Bucks and Marquette call home.
But the Bucks never managed to establish any momentum during Rivers’ tenure, with injuries playing a major role.
Bucks struggled with injuries
Milwaukee went 17-19 under Rivers during that 2023-24 season to finish a 49-33 season. They 4-2 in the opening round of the playoffs, with the entire series because of a calf strain.
Last season, three-time All-Star Khris Middleton didn鈥檛 start playing until early December after offseason surgery to each of his ankles, and he got at the trade deadline. Damian Lillard missed Milwaukee鈥檚 final 14 regular-season games because of in his right calf, for Game 2 of the Bucks鈥� first-round to Indiana but two games later.
With Lillard unable to play this season, the Bucks and agreed to pay his remaining salary over the next five seasons. That opened up cap space for the Bucks to sign former Indiana Pacers center .
Milwaukee won four of its first five games but struggled the rest of the way while playing much of the season without its superstar.
鈥淚 personally have enjoyed the challenge,鈥� Rivers said after Sunday鈥檚 game. 鈥淚t didn鈥檛 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鈥檓 not a big guy in looking back. All you can do is look forward.鈥�
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AP Pro Basketball Writer Tim Reynolds in Miami and AP Sports Writer Dan Gelston in Philadelphia contributed to this report.
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