Doc Rivers

76ers PR

PHILADELPHIA – MAY 16, 2023 –&nbsp;The Philadelphia 76ers announced today that the team has parted ways with Head Coach Doc Rivers. Rivers was named the 25th head coach in 76ers’ franchise history on Oct. 2, 2020. He coached three seasons for Philadelphia, compiling a 154-82 (.653) regular-season record.&nbsp;

Philadelphia 76ers President of Basketball Operations Daryl Morey:&nbsp;

“Doc is one of the most successful coaches in NBA history, a future Hall of Famer, and someone I respect immensely. We’re grateful for all he did in his three seasons here and thank him for the important impact he made on our franchise. After having the chance to reflect upon our season, we decided that certain changes are necessary to further our goals of competing for a championship.”&nbsp;

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Philadelphia 76ers Part Ways with Head Coach Doc Rivers

Lauren Rosen

Named MVP Finalist for the third straight year, with back-to-back scoring titles in tow, Joel Embiid has finally earned his first NBA Most Valuable Player award.

For the team as a unit, the 2022-23 season has always been, and continues to be, a “We Season.”

In their own words, here’s what Embiid has meant to that collective “we”:

“Joel has just been dominant. He came into training camp extremely focused. I think it’s the most focused, in my last three years, that I’ve seen him - and that’s saying something, because he’s had career years every year that I’ve been here. He’s stepped it up a notch. This year just seemed different. He’s extremely focused. And his leadership went to another level. I’ve always talked about what he’s done for me, and for a lot of different guys, as far as drawing in the defense, getting better at passing out of double teams, making his teammates better. He’s just been dominant - defensively, offensively, and leadership-wise.”

“I think what separates Joel is his ability to protect the rim on defense, and switch in real-life situations in the game, keep guys in front, and make them take tough shots. When he’s locked in on defense, he’s just that much better. And then his dominance on offense, literally being able to destroy everybody all year, I think it’s an easy decision. He’s the MVP for sure.&nbsp;

You just haven’t seen a big be able to dominate the way that he does, really shooting the ball - where it’s not back to the basket, it’s facing the basket. Really demanding a double every play. There just hasn’t been bigs like that in a long time. He’s one of one.

“I don’t think he necessarily did anything drastically different - I just think there’s more recognition towards his deserving of the award. As someone who’s been with [Joel for four years], to see the progression in his game, to see the progression in his leadership, and to see how hungry he is to win, and do whatever it takes to embrace all his teammates, I think that speaks volumes. He’s super deserving of it. I’m proud, I’m happy.

His game has just evolved, being an offensive specimen out there - somebody who can pick apart other teams’ defenses. He’s changed his game in a way that he’s become more and more unguardable, year after year offensively. And then on the defensive end as well - just doing amazing things to help the whole group.

“When I think about this award, I think about all the different things that MVP means. It doesn’t mean that you’re just great. It means that you’re great amongst all the great players that play in the NBA. That’s pretty special. It doesn’t just mean scoring the basketball. Obviously you have to do that, but you have to do so many more things. You have to rebound, you have to play defense, you have to be a great teammate, you have to make your teammates better, you have to work on your game, you have to be coachable, and you have to win. [Joel] is doing all those things for us.”

“Joel is the MVP because he’s a professional, first and foremost, how he carries himself. He doesn’t say too much, comes in, gets his work. In the game, he’s totally different. Joel is a monster. Unstoppable. 7-something, big dude, you can’t stop him. And he’s got a midrange game - what big guy can shoot the middy like that? And threes? And he can handle the ball? I don’t know.”

“The way he came out and just dominated. His style of play - he can score from the perimeter, he can catch on the elbow, shoot over defenders - even when he catches it on the block, he can just bruise, and get layups after layups. His ability to score at a high rate is really special at his size, too.”

“I mean everything. Everything is different for Joel. I’ve seen him grow as a player, as a man, as a human, and now he’s winning MVP, finally. He deserves it. I’m really happy for him, to see this growth. I’ve spent six years with him, so it means a lot also for me. I’m super, super happy about it. Congrats, Joel. He’s changed a lot. He talks more, and we can discover him more. He’s changed a lot, on the court and off the court.”

“He’s second to none. He’s one of one. And he continues to get better. We’re all finally witnessing Joel Embiid - who I think everybody thought he could potentially be, some years ago.”

“Welcome to the club, well-deserved. I’m so proud, [he] had a hell of a year. Should’ve gotten it last year too.”

“Man, it’s crazy. I feel like I’ve seen Joel perform at an MVP level for at least the past three years now. To see his growth this year, especially when it comes to trusting us teammates, and then just seeing him put in the work day in and day out, showing up every game ready to compete. Above all else, he wants to win. And I think that’s what really separates him.”

“Joel’s shown pure dominance this year. It’s his second consecutive year of averaging 30 points, and continuing to lead us to wins. When you have a center, in this day and age, when centers aren’t really used like Joel is used, and he can do that on a night in, night out basis, and still find ways to be effective - he’s clearly the Most Valuable Player.”

“Joel is an absolute bucket getter. I think the whole league knows that. Just giving him the ball and letting him go to work, every play, he’s dominating, every game. That’s MVP worthy. Not only does he dominate the game on the offensive end. Something I admire about his game is he puts his life on the line. He’ll go and try to block somebody from dunking the ball, and not be scared to get dunked on - things like that, I admire, because I’m also a big. I’ll be like, ‘Dang. He’s got heart.’ I feel like that’s MVP-worthy stuff right there.”

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Our MVP: Joel Embiid, in the Words of the 2022-23 Philadelphia 76ers

Led Philadelphia to Eastern Conference-best 15-7 record through final month-plus of regular season

First 76ers Head Coach to earn monthly awards multiple times in single season

The&nbsp;NBA announced today that Philadelphia 76ers Head Coach&nbsp;Doc Rivers has been named Eastern Conference&nbsp;Coach&nbsp;of&nbsp;the&nbsp;Month&nbsp;for games played in March and April. This is the second time that Rivers has claimed the monthly coaching award in 2022-23, making him the first head coach in 76ers franchise history to receive multiple monthly honors in a single season.

Rivers led the 76ers to an Eastern Conference-best 15-7 (.682) mark across the final two months, good for the most wins in the NBA. Philadelphia won 10 of its 15 road contests to close the season.

Philadelphia tallied five wins in clutch games (within five points or less in the final five minutes of regulation) since March 1, good for most in the NBA.

Dating back to Dec. 1, Philadelphia boasted an NBA-best 42-18 record and an Eastern Conference-leading 119.1 offensive rating throughout the team’s final 60 games of the regular season.

Under Rivers’ guidance, the 76ers finished the 2022-23 campaign with a 54-28 record, marking the franchise’s most wins in a single season since 2000-01. The 76ers clinched a top-six playoff seed on March 21, solidifying the team’s sixth consecutive playoff berth.

This award represents the 14th monthly honor of Rivers’ coaching career, and his third as the lead man of the 76ers. Only San Antonio’s Gregg Popovich (17) has more such awards in NBA history.

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Doc Rivers Named March-April 2023 Eastern Conference Coach of the Month

The 76ers (51-26) are back in Milwaukee, set for their final regular season meeting with the Bucks (55-22).

Sunday’s matchup marks another clash between two of the best in the East, with the Bucks continuing to hold the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference, and the Sixers occupying No. 3 (the Boston Celtics (54-24) hold No. 2).

The Sixers are 2-1 against the Bucks this season, most recently launching one of their most impressive comebacks of the season to take a 133-130 win in Milwaukee on March 4.

James Harden led the way in that matchup, scoring 38 points, nine rebounds, and 10 assists as the Sixers covered an 18-point deficit and snapped Milwaukee’s 16-game winning streak.

“We found something late in the fourth quarter, and we just stuck with it,” Harden said that night. “You find something that works, and you try to stick with it. We got some stops, and things changed for us.”

Joel Embiid notched a 31-point, 10-assist double-double in that win, plus six rebounds, while Tyrese Maxey added 26 points on 8-for-12 shooting.

Milwaukee’s Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 34 points in the Bucks’ loss, plus 13 rebounds and four assists. Brook Lopez and Jrue Holiday recorded 26 points apiece, with Holiday sharing a game-high 13 assists.

Antetokounmpo continues to lead the Bucks in scoring (31.1 ppg) and rebounding (11.8 rpg) this season, while Holiday leads Milwaukee in assists (7.3 apg) and steals (1.1 spg).

The Bucks have won seven of their last 10, but most recently fell to Boston Thursday, 140-99.

The Sixers are coming off a win, after beating the Raptors, 117-110, Friday in South Philadelphia.

Sunday’s single-game trip to Milwaukee marks the Sixers’ penultimate road trip of the season. The team will host Boston and Miami, then visit Atlanta and Brooklyn, before the regular season comes to a close.

Sunday’s matchup is an 8:00 p.m. ET tip.

“The whole bench - Paul Reed was phenomenal. [James Harden] has trusted him more… [And Jalen McDaniels] - just the energy and what he's doing all over the floor. Danuel House was huge as well. I thought the bench in the first half basically won the game in a lot of ways for us, that's who stretched the lead. You know, [Joel Embiid] had those two early fouls. They came in and played terrific. Again, it's a great example about rotations, you know, we put in [Georges Niang] first, and we didn't like it. So we went with someone else, and that's what this team is about - we're flexible. That to me, is what makes this team so good.”

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76ers Set for Visit with Bucks | Gameday Report 78/82

With the All-Star break in the rearview mirror, the 76ers (38-19) are back at it, hosting the Memphis Grizzlies (35-22) Thursday.

“Guys are excited to be around each other,” Shake Milton said following Wednesday’s practice, the team’s first organized activity since the break.&nbsp;

“I think as a unit, we’re excited to get this season going again. Everybody has their eyes focused on the same goal.”

Before turning their attention to the road ahead, Milton and Georges Niang each remarked on new Sixer Mac McClung’s masterful performance at this weekend’s dunk contest.

“I got to see my new teammate, Mac McClung, win the dunk contest - it was awesome. He was electric. It was a lot of fun,” Niang said.

“That was crazy, man,” Milton said of McClung. “For him to come in and win it - Man, I wish I could get up there and do those types of things too. It was big time.”

“He definitely [saved the dunk contest],” Niang added. “I don’t care how humble he’s going to be - I’ll be arrogant for him. It should be mandatory that he’s in it every year.”

Thursday’s meeting with Memphis marks the second and final regular season matchup between the teams, after the Grizzlies won the first clash, 117-109, on Dec. 2 in Memphis.

Ja Morant led the way for the Grizzlies that night, finishing with 28 points, eight rebounds, and three assists. Jaren Jackson Jr. tallied 22 points, nine rebounds, a steal, and four blocks.

Joel Embiid was the Sixers’ leading scorer in Memphis, notching a 35-point, 11-rebound double-double, plus eight assists, a steal, and three blocks. Tobias Harris recorded a 21-point, 11-rebound double-double.

The Grizzlies hold the No. 2 spot in the West, but were 4-6 in their last 10 games before the break. The Sixers went 7-3 in their last 10.

Following Thursday’s contest, the Sixers will host the Celtics and Heat before heading out on the road for 12 of the following 15 games.

“It’s a gauntlet,” Niang said of the road ahead. “It’s going to be a grind. But it’s good preparation for us heading into the playoffs. I think our guys are well-rested from the All-Star break and ready to roll.”

“I feel like this team has the ability to adapt however we need to, so whatever’s thrown at us, we’ll be ready to go.”

Following the All-Star break, the Sixers hold the No. 3 spot in the Eastern Conference, 2.5 games behind the No. 2 Bucks (41-17), which trail the No. 1 Celtics (42-17) by 0.5 games.

Ahead of the final leg of the season, Embiid is second in the NBA in scoring (33.1 ppg). James Harden leads the league in assists (10.8 apg), and De’Anthony Melton is fourth in the NBA in steals (1.7 spg).

As a team, the Sixers lead the league in free throw percentage (83.0% FT), and are fourth in the NBA in 3-point percentage (38.4 3fg) and Net rating (4.0).

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76ers Begin Post-All-Star Play, Host Grizzlies Thursday | Gameday Report 58/82

The 76ers (37-19) have a shot at their fourth consecutive victory Wednesday in their final game before the All-Star break, hosting the Cleveland Cavaliers (38-22) in South Philadelphia.

Wednesday’s matchup comes on the heels of the Sixers’ 123-104 win over the Rockets, and a pair of wins over the Knicks Friday (119-108) and Nets Saturday (101-98).

New 76er Jalen McDaniels (8 pts, 5 reb, 3 ast) made his home debut Monday, and discussed his excitement to join this team postgame:

“The energy is just different. Everybody’s positive. We’re looking for the bigger picture, the playoff run, stuff like that. Guys are really locked in, so it’s serious, but we have fun.”

Doc Rivers praised McDaniels following his second outing as a Sixer:

“Today, I think he played the two, the three, the four. That’s one of the reasons we were so attracted to him - that ability to make shots. He loves playing hard, he’s just a hard player, and you can see that.”

Ahead of the All-Star Break, the Sixers hold the No. 3 spot in the Eastern Conference, a game ahead of the No. 4 Cavaliers.

The Cavaliers won the first meeting between the Sixers and Cavs on Nov. 30, 113-85. Following Wednesday’s contest, the third and final regular-season matchup between the teams will come March 15 in Cleveland.

The Sixers also announced the signings of nine-year NBA veteran Dewayne Dedmon and 24-year-old Mac McClung on Tuesday.

Ahead of the break, Joel Embiid is second in the NBA in scoring (33.2 ppg), and is fifth in the league in blocks (1.5 bpg). James Harden leads the league in assists (10.8 apg). De’Anthony Melton is fourth in the NBA in steals per game (1.8 spg).

As a team, the Sixers are second in the NBA in free throw percentage (82.8%) and fourth in the league in 3-point percentage (38.3%).

Wednesday’s matchup is a 7:30 p.m. ET tip.

“He’s athletic. He runs the floor, he defends, rebounds, shoots the ball well. It’s great to have a guy like him. He was great tonight, and I think we’re going to really need him moving forward.”

Watch: NBC Sports Philadelphia, ESPNListen: 97.5 The Fanatic

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76ers Host Cleveland Cavaliers Ahead of All-Star Break | Gameday Report 57/82

Matt Murphy

After sweeping a home-road back-to-back over the Knicks and Nets, the 76ers (36-19) look to add another win to their 21-8 home record when they host the Houston Rockets (13-43) on Monday night.

The Rockets enter the matchup in the midst of a five-game losing skid. Their last two games were one-possession affairs, a 97-95 defeat in Miami on Friday and a 130-128 setback against Sacramento before that.&nbsp;

Jabari Smith Jr., the No. 3 overall pick in the 2022 NBA draft, posted 22 points and eight rebounds against the Heat, while Jalen Green (No. 2 overall pick in 2021) leads Houston in scoring for the season at 21.8 points on just under 18 shots per game.

As of Sunday night, the injury report included Joel Embiid (questionable - left foot soreness) and Shake Milton (probable - left eye soreness) for Philadelphia. Kevin Porter Jr. of the Rockets is out with a left foot contusion.

This will be the second and final meeting between the two teams this season, with the Sixers seeking to avenge a 132-123 double overtime loss in Houston on Dec. 5. Green had 27 points for the home team despite an 0-for-7 shooting effort from 3-point range. Joel Embiid recorded a game-high 39 points, along with seven rebounds, three assists, two steals, and two blocked shots.

In their road win at the Nets on Saturday, the Sixers erased a double-digit deficit – 12 points late in the third quarter – for the second consecutive game.

The Sixers shot 29-for-30 (.967) from the free-throw line in Brooklyn, their second highest free-throw percentage of the season thus far. On Jan. 25 – also against the Nets – they went 35-for-36 (.972) from the line.

Trade deadline acquisition Jalen McDaniels played 16 minutes off the bench in his 76ers debut and contributed five points and four rebounds.

“He’s going to help us, he’s going to really help us,” 76ers Head Coach Doc Rivers said postgame. “His length, his rebounding. He’s going to be big for us. You can see it.”

With 0.9 seconds remaining, Brooklyn’s Spencer Dinwiddie made what would have been a game-tying 3-point shot from the midcourt logo, but the play was reviewed. The shot ultimately didn’t count, as the ball was still in Dinwiddie’s hand as the final buzzer sounded.

The Rockets, meanwhile, rank near or at the bottom of the NBA in various offensive categories this season, but their strong rebounding numbers stand out. They are first in both rebounding percentage (.530) and offensive rebounding percentage (.343), as well as third in second-chance points per game (16.8).

Monday is a 7 p.m. start in South Philadelphia.

James Harden on the visit to Brooklyn as an opposing player:

“Coming back here, it’s a game. We’re trying to win the game. I don’t get caught up in homecomings or all of the outside distractions. Our focus was to come in here and win the game, and we did a good job of that.”

Watch: NBC Sports PhiladelphiaListen: 97.5 The Fanatic

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76ers Welcome Houston Rockets to South Philadelphia | Gameday Report 56/82

Two of the top teams in the Eastern Conference meet again Wednesday night in Boston, as the 76ers (34-18) face the Celtics (38-16) for the first time since the NBA season opener on Oct. 18.The Celtics won that opening game, 126-117. James Harden, Jayson Tatum, and Jaylen Brown each scored 35 points in the contest. Six-time NBA All-Star Joel Embiid posted 26 points, a game-high 15 rebounds, and five assists.The Sixers are 14-10 on the road, good for the second-best road winning percentage (.583) in the NBA. Boston is first (18-9 away, .667). They beat the Pistons in Detroit, 111-99, in their previous game on Monday behind 16-for-37 (.432) shooting from 3-point range and 34 points, 11 rebounds, and six assists from Tatum.As of Tuesday evening, the injury report included Joel Embiid (questionable - left foot soreness) for the Sixers, as well as the following Celtics: Jaylen Brown (probable - non-COVID illness), Robert Williams III (probable - left ankle sprain), Luke Kornet (probable - left ankle sprain), Marcus Smart (out - right ankle sprain), and Danilo Gallinari (out - left knee ACL repair).

“You do look back,” 76ers Head Coach Doc Rivers said following practice on Tuesday in Camden. “It's funny, San Antonio was a little similar because we played them game two or three and then you play them again. And what's great is looking back and seeing how far you've come from the last time you've played a team. Not necessarily looking at the game. You're just really looking at your team. Defensively and offensively, what are you doing differently? What are you doing better? How much better is your execution? Then you look at the team. Boston's a team that we'll have three times, counting [Wednesday], and then hopefully in the playoffs. There's a chance that we have Boston 10 more times this year.”After Wednesday, the regular season series shifts to South Philadelphia on Feb. 25 and April 4.The Sixers’ last outing was a 108-97 road loss to the Knicks on Sunday evening. New York pieced together a comeback — the Sixers led 33-12 late in the first quarter — with the help of 31 combined points from reserves Evan Fournier (5-8 3fg) and Miles McBride (3-6 3fg, 5-6 ft).

Now, another big stage on the road provides an even bigger opportunity to bounce back.“Yeah, absolutely,” Georges Niang said about this being a chance for a statement win. “I mean, you're playing the number one team in the Eastern Conference. They went to the Finals last year, they're the team that came out of the East. So of course this is a statement game.”

Wednesday is a 7:30 p.m. start in Boston.

Six 76ers reached double figures scoring against the Knicks.

“We just want him to keep playing the way he plays,”&nbsp; Doc Rivers said of Tucker. “I think his value will still come more later than it is now. We all know that... We love what he's bringing to this team. This team needs toughness, this team needs defensive knowledge and talk. P.J. provides all of that for us."

Embiid extended his streak of games with at least 25 points and 10 rebounds to six straight, the longest active streak in the league and the third-longest stretch by any player this season.

Georges Niang on another Boston homecoming:"It's like a blessing and a curse. You want a bunch of people to see you that have helped pave the way to get me here, but yeah, I try to tell people if my mom doesn't know your first and last name, I don't know if I can leave you a ticket. It is going to be a bunch. I haven't gotten the final count, but I'm sure I'll do that when I get on the plane. It's a blessing to have that many people come support me when I come back home."

Watch: ESPN, NBC Sports PhiladelphiaListen: 97.5 The Fanatic

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76ers Face Celtics in Boston | Gameday Report 53/82

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