Bucks Coach Doc Rivers Departs Milwaukee After Dismal Season

Veteran coach's exit raises questions about Giannis Antetokounmpo's future with the team.

Apr. 13, 2026 at 4:31pm

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A fragmented, cubist-style painting depicting the chaotic energy of a basketball game, with sharp geometric shapes and planes in the colors of the Milwaukee Bucks and Chicago Bulls clashing and overlapping, conveying the uncertainty and transition surrounding the Bucks organization.The abrupt end of Doc Rivers' tenure as Bucks coach signals a pivotal crossroads for the franchise and its superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo.Chicago Today

Doc Rivers, the 64-year-old head coach of the Milwaukee Bucks, has officially stepped down from his position after a brutal 2025-26 season for the team. Rivers' departure comes amid growing uncertainty about the future of Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo, who has been the face of the franchise for nearly a decade.

Why it matters

Rivers was brought in to help the Bucks contend for an NBA championship, but his tenure ended in disappointment as the team struggled mightily. His exit could signal the start of a major roster overhaul in Milwaukee, with Antetokounmpo's long-term future with the franchise now in question.

The details

After taking over as Bucks head coach in 2023, Rivers was unable to replicate the team's previous success under former coach Mike Budenholzer. The Bucks limped to a 32-50 record this past season, missing the playoffs entirely. Rivers' departure comes with one year remaining on his contract.

  • Rivers officially stepped down as Bucks head coach on April 13, 2026.
  • He had been the team's head coach since the start of the 2023-24 NBA season.

The players

Doc Rivers

A veteran NBA head coach with over 40 years of experience, Rivers had been the head coach of the Milwaukee Bucks since 2023.

Giannis Antetokounmpo

The superstar forward has been the face of the Milwaukee Bucks franchise for nearly a decade, leading the team to an NBA championship in 2021.

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What they’re saying

“It's been an honor to coach this team, but I think it's time for a new voice to lead us forward.”

— Doc Rivers, Former Bucks Head Coach

What’s next

The Bucks will now begin their search for a new head coach, with Giannis Antetokounmpo's future with the team a major factor in who they decide to hire.

The takeaway

Doc Rivers' departure from the Milwaukee Bucks marks the end of an era, and raises serious questions about the long-term direction of the franchise. The team's struggles this past season, coupled with the uncertainty surrounding Giannis Antetokounmpo, suggest major changes are on the horizon in Milwaukee.