Bucks Part Ways With Doc Rivers After NBA Playoff Miss

ESPN reports the Bucks have fired head coach Doc Rivers following a disappointing 32-50 season that ended without a playoff berth.

Apr. 13, 2026 at 7:01am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A cubist, geometric painting depicting a fragmented basketball court scene with overlapping shapes and planes in deep navy, forest green, and burnt orange tones, conveying the chaos and uncertainty surrounding the Bucks' coaching change and Giannis Antetokounmpo's future.The Bucks' coaching shakeup reflects the team's struggle to maintain its championship form and Giannis Antetokounmpo's growing frustration with the organization.Today in Milwaukee

The Milwaukee Bucks have parted ways with head coach Doc Rivers after the team missed the NBA playoffs this past season, according to a report from ESPN. Rivers took over as Bucks coach in 2023 but was unable to lead the team to the postseason in his three seasons at the helm, including a 32-50 record in 2025-26. His departure comes amid uncertainty surrounding the future of Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo, who dealt with injuries and frustrations over his playing time this past season.

Why it matters

The Bucks' decision to part ways with Rivers signals a major shakeup for the franchise, which has struggled to build on its 2021 NBA championship. With Antetokounmpo's long-term future in Milwaukee uncertain, the team will now embark on its third head coaching search in as many years as it looks to get back on track and return to contention in the Eastern Conference.

The details

Rivers was hired as Bucks head coach in 2023 after the team fired Adrian Griffin 43 games into the 2023-24 season. In his three seasons leading the team, Rivers was unable to guide the Bucks back to the playoffs, with the team finishing 32-50 this past season and missing the postseason. Rivers' departure comes after a 126-106 loss to the Philadelphia 76ers on Sunday that capped Milwaukee's disappointing campaign.

  • Rivers was hired as Bucks head coach in 2023.
  • The Bucks fired Adrian Griffin 43 games into the 2023-24 season.
  • The Bucks finished the 2025-26 season with a 32-50 record, missing the playoffs.

The players

Doc Rivers

The former head coach of the Milwaukee Bucks, who was let go by the team after three seasons at the helm.

Giannis Antetokounmpo

The two-time NBA MVP and franchise star of the Milwaukee Bucks, who dealt with injuries and frustrations over his playing time this past season.

Adrian Griffin

The former head coach of the Milwaukee Bucks, who was fired 43 games into the 2023-24 season.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“'The tough part about all this is that I'm in the middle, and I have nothing to do with it. Coaches don't decide any of this. The problem with our league is the coaches are the ones sitting out front. And we have to sit here and answer this stuff. I think there are two sides to this — I will tell you that — but I don't want to get too involved in it.'”

— Doc Rivers, Bucks Head Coach

“'I've never seen a case of a player saying, my caliber of player, that's like — I'm saying it publicly — I want to f—ing play. You know what I'm saying? I don't think I've seen this. So, if there needs to be an investigation, great. There should be. I don't know. There should be. Until we figure something out.'”

— Giannis Antetokounmpo

What’s next

The Bucks will now launch their search for a new head coach, their third in the past three years, as they look to get the team back on track and address the uncertainty surrounding Giannis Antetokounmpo's future with the franchise.

The takeaway

The Bucks' decision to part ways with Doc Rivers after a disappointing season that ended without a playoff berth highlights the team's struggles to build on its 2021 championship. With Antetokounmpo's long-term future in Milwaukee in question, the Bucks now face a critical offseason as they search for a new head coach who can help the team return to contention in the Eastern Conference.