The Milwaukee Bucks have pulled the plug on the Doc Rivers era in Wisconsin.
The Bucks are reportedly moving on from Rivers after two and a half seasons with the team. According to a report from ESPN’s Shams Charania, Milwaukee will pay out the remainder of Rivers’ contract in order to begin the search for the team’s next head coach in earnest.
BREAKING: Doc Rivers is departing as head coach of the Milwaukee Bucks, sources tell ESPN. After a 32-50 season, the Bucks will embark on their third coaching search in the last three years. pic.twitter.com/s6YZXKcTi5
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) April 13, 2026
The language used seems to indicate that Rivers chose to leave of his own volition. But it’s more likely that the Bucks wanted to move on from the former NBA champion coach while allowing him to save face.
Given the recent buzz coming out of Milwaukee, the move was far from surprising. Reports pointed to Bucks players losing confidence in Rivers amid arguably the most disappointing season since the emergence of Giannis Antetokounmpo as a perennial MVP candidate.
The decision came just a week after Rivers reportedly gave a cringeworthy speech that rubbed some players the wrong way.
The Bucks had a 97-103 record under Rivers, who took over for Adrian Griffin midway through the 2023-24 campaign.
