The Philadelphia 76ers fired Doc Rivers on Tuesday, following the Sixers collapse against the Boston Celtics in the second round of the 2023 NBA playoffs. Adrian Wojnarowski brought the news, via Twitter (H/T The Athletic:
BREAKING: The 76ers dismissed coach Doc Rivers on Tuesday, sources tell ESPN. Rivers led the Sixers to the Eastern Conference Semifinals in each of his three seasons on the job. pic.twitter.com/WM0t4LhrAz— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) May 16, 2023
The Doc Rivers, Joel Embiid and James Harden Sixers group held a 3-2 series lead of Jason Tatum and the Celtics, but squandered a lead late in Game 6 and were blown out of TD Garden in Game 7. The 76ers have never made a Conference Finals under Doc.
Rivers has been on the hot seat, as his teams’ history of playoff shortcomings have been highlighted. Now the process continues on without Doc. The pressure is on Joel Embiid and James Harden (if he remains with the 76ers).