Doc Rivers Out As Bucks Miss Playoffs

Doc Rivers stepped down as Milwaukee’s head coach Monday after the Bucks missed the playoffs for the first time in a decade. Rivers, who said he was "deeply grateful" for the experience, finished 97-103 in Milwaukee with no playoff series wins. His tenure began as a consultant in December 2023, became head coach in January 2024, and was marked by seismic injuries to Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard plus a rollercoaster regular season and playoff collapses. Merlin sees a franchise at a crossroads. With depleted draft assets, a reported rift over Giannis’ late game availability, and what GM Jon Horst called an "unbelievable partner" in Rivers during hard stretches, the Bucks must choose between short term fixes and a deeper rebuild. Stability will be scarce and drama may follow.