Doc Rivers is no longer the coach of the Milwaukee Bucks.

Rivers and the Bucks officially made the announcement on Monday, a day after it was reported he was not expected to return following the conclusion of the 2025-26 NBA regular season.

"I have truly loved my time in Milwaukee," Rivers said in a statement released by the team. "Coming back to where I got my start, to a city that has always embraced me, has been a privilege. I am disappointed that things did not turn out the way any of us hoped, but I am deeply grateful for this experience, the relationships built, and unwavering support from our fans and the community. Milwaukee will always mean a lot to me, and this chapter will hold a special place in my heart."

In 2 1/2 seasons as coach of the Bucks, Rivers went 97-103, losing to the Indiana Pacers in the first round of the play-offs each of the last two seasons.

This past season, Milwaukee went 32-50 and finished in 11th place in the Eastern Conference, ending the team's streak of nine consecutive play-off appearances.

 

Doc Rivers has stepped down as head coach of the Milwaukee Bucks. pic.twitter.com/yjesvLVPOW

— Milwaukee Bucks (@Bucks) April 13, 2026

It was a turbulent season for Rivers, as he was inducted into the basketball Hall of Fame, though his team struggled on the court and dealt with plenty of drama off it surrounding superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo.

The two-time league MVP and 2021 NBA Finals MVP was mentioned in trade rumours leading up to the deadline and wound up appearing in just 36 games due to injuries.

After Milwaukee’s season ended Sunday, however, Antetokounmpo said he was healthy enough to play over the final few weeks and felt it was "disrespectful" for the Bucks to sit him out.

This season marks the first full season Rivers finished with a losing record since 2006-07, when he went 24-58 with the Boston Celtics.

The 64-year-old coached the Celtics to the NBA championship the following season, and owns a career play-off record of 114-112.

Rivers, who also coached the Orlando Magic, Los Angeles Clippers and Philadelphia 76ers, has a 1,194-866 overall record in the regular season, and overtook George Karl for sixth place on the career wins list among NBA coaches on December 29.

"It has been an honor to have Doc as our coach and as a leader in our organization and community," Bucks owners Wes Edens, Jimmy Haslam, Dee Haslam and Jamie Dinan said in a statement. "In addition to his impact on the court, we’re thankful for Doc’s class and professionalism during his tenure in Milwaukee."