Doc Rivers is moving into NBC Sports’ NBA analyst rotation as the network prepares to resume league coverage in October 2026. The Hall of Fame coach brings a résumé that runs from a 12-season playing career to 2,059 games on an NBA bench, with the broadcasts set for NBC, Peacock and NBCSN.
Rivers last worked with NBC Sports as a studio analyst during the 2012 London Olympics. He returns after coaching the Milwaukee Bucks from 2024 through 2026, adding another experienced voice to a basketball group that already includes several former players he coached.
From the locker room
“I loved playing the game, I loved coaching it, and I’ve always loved talking about it,” Rivers said. “I have great memories working with NBC, and I’m excited to be back and share my perspective alongside such a talented team. This season should be a lot of fun. I can’t wait.”
Rivers enters television work with more than four decades around the NBA as a player and coach. He was inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame, was named among the league’s 15 greatest coaches, and guided Boston to the 2008 championship. The Celtics also reached the 2010 Finals under Rivers.
His 1,194 coaching victories rank sixth in NBA history, while his 2,059 games coached stand fourth all-time. Rivers won Coach of the Year with Orlando in 2000 and was selected to coach four All-Star Games: 2008, 2011, 2021 and 2024.
| Coaching stop | Years |
|---|---|
| Orlando Magic | 1999-2003 |
| Boston Celtics | 2004-2013 |
| Los Angeles Clippers | 2013-2020 |
| Philadelphia 76ers | 2020-2023 |
| Milwaukee Bucks | 2024-2026 |
Across those stops, Rivers coached 40 All-Stars, 21 All-NBA selections and 2023 MVP Joel Embiid. His former players on NBC Sports’ analyst roster include Grant Hill and Tracy McGrady from Orlando, Brian Scalabrine from Boston, and Jamal Crawford from the Clippers.
McGrady made five All-Star teams and three All-NBA squads during his time with Rivers, while taking the 2001 Most Improved Player award and the 2003 scoring title. Crawford won Sixth Man of the Year twice with the Clippers, in 2014 and 2016. Scalabrine was on the Celtics’ 2008 title team.
Rivers also coached his son, Austin Rivers, with the Clippers from 2015 through 2018. That pairing made them the first father and son to work together as NBA head coach and player. Austin Rivers, now an NBC Sports basketball analyst, played 11 NBA seasons.
Before coaching, Rivers was a point guard selected No. 31 overall by Atlanta in the 1983 draft out of Marquette. He spent most of his playing time with the Hawks, earned an All-Star berth in 1988, and also played for the Clippers, Knicks and Spurs before retiring in 1996.
His broadcasting background started at Turner Sports after his playing career. He also held ESPN roles between coaching jobs in 2003-04 and again in 2023.
At Marquette, Rivers’ No. 31 has been retired. Before college, he was a first-team high school All-American and Mr. Basketball USA as a senior at Proviso East High School in Maywood, Illinois.
Next tip
NBC Sports begins its 2026-27 NBA coverage in October 2026, with Rivers joining the game-analysis bench for the network’s first season back on the league package.
