Following yet another disappointing early exit from the NBA playoffs, the Philadelphia 76ers fired coach Doc Rivers on Tuesday, a person with knowledge of the situation told USA TODAY Sports. The person requested anonymity because they were not authorized to speak before the team made an announcement.
In three seasons under Rivers, the Sixers posted a 154-82 record (.653) and finished either first or second in their division. However, they have been unable to advance past the second round of the playoffs in any of the past six seasons.
This year looked like their best chance. With center Joel Embiid winning league MVP honors and shooting guard James Harden playing in his first full season with Philadelphia, the team posted the third-best regular season record in the league.
However, after defeating the Atlanta Hawks in the first round of the playoffs and going up three games to two on the Boston Celtics, the Sixers reverted to their old form.
They unraveled in the fourth quarter to lose Game 6 at home, then had no answer for the Celtics’ Jayson Tatum and his record-breaking 51 points in Game 7.
The loss dropped Rivers’ record as a head coach in Game 7s to 6-10.
Overall, Rivers has a 1097-763 record (.590) in 24 seasons with the Orlando Magic, Celtics, Los Angeles Clippers and Sixers.
Contributing: Jeff Zillgitt
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Doc Rivers fired by 76ers after three seasons as head coach