Coaching Casualties

05/17/2023

By: Jeff Yoder

76ers Fire Head Coach Doc Rivers; 5 NBA Head-Coaching Vacancies in 2023

In a year where the 76ers stayed healthy, Joel Embiid finally won MVP, and Philly held a 3-2 lead over the Celtics in the Eastern Conference Semifinals, it was another letdown that ultimately led to the departure of Doc Rivers. The 76ers fired Rivers on Tuesday, making him the third playoff head coach let go in the last two weeks. The news came quickly after reports that James Harden didn’t want to play for Doc. Whether that’s true or false, the three winningest teams over the past three seasons (Suns, Bucks and 76ers) have now fired their head coaches in a span of two weeks after disappointing postseasons. And now, another offseason of coach shuffling begins.

Recently Fired NBA Coaches

Doc Rivers (76ers)

Monty Williams (Suns)

Mike Budenholzer (Bucks)

Nick Nurse (Raptors)

Dwane Casey (Pistons)

Best Win % Over Last 3 Seasons

Suns — .678

Bucks — .657 (1 Title)

76ers — .653

The Rockets hired former Celtics head coach Ime Udoka before the season ended. Five positions will be up for grabs this offseason, and we expect many of the recently-fired coaches to find new homes with other contenders.

CBS Sports: Sam Cassell, Monty Williams & Nick Nurse Among Potential Replacements for Doc Rivers

Photo: Michael Reaves / Getty Images