The Philadelphia 76ers squandered Game 6 of their Eastern Conference semifinal on Thursday night. In the aftermath of that game, Philadelphia coach Doc Rivers is in a role he’s been in a lot in recent years — getting criticized for not closing the deal.
It was a perfect scenario for the 76ers. The game was in Philadelphia. Boston star Jayson Tatum was ice-cold throughout the game. At home against a struggling star is an ideal scenario to not only win a game, but win decisively. And while the Celtics led for most of the game, the 76ers took a lead into the fourth quarter. But they couldn’t close. Boston stayed close and eventually, Tatum found his shot. When the game ended, Philadelphia was on the wrong end of a 95-86 final.
Rivers struggled in the playoffs during his tenure with the Orlando Magic and even in his early days leading the Celtics. But in 2008, Rivers led the Celtics to a championship. Two years later, Boston returned to the NBA Finals, losing to the Los Angeles Lakers. Two years after that, Rivers and the Celtics reached the Conference Finals before falling to the Miami Heat.
Since then, though, Rivers has consistently come short of the Conference Finals, whether coaching the Celtics, Los Angeles Clippers or the 76ers. That includes some significant chokes.
Doc Rivers last 9 games to make it to the Conference Finals:
2015 Game 5 — Loss
2015 Game 6 — Loss
2015 Game 7 — Loss
2017 Game 7 — Loss
2020 Game 5 — Loss
2020 Game 6 — Loss
2020 Game 7 — Loss
2021 Game 7 — Loss
2023 Game 6 — Loss pic.twitter.com/rD6VT9XHnk— ᴅ ʀ ᴇ ᴡ (@FeelLikeDrew) May 12, 2023
And after Thursday, basketball fans were wondering if this may ultimately be the latest in that line.
Doc Rivers blowing another series pic.twitter.com/qKQ1skSFze
— LakeShowYo (@LakeShowYo) May 12, 2023
Doc Rivers when he’s one win away from the conference finals pic.twitter.com/2zCxHQCFAU
— Jake (@SuperiorNBA) May 12, 2023
Nobody has squandered more opportunities than Doc Rivers led teams but my god this is up there, how do you not win a game that Tatum plays like this on your home court.
— Fire EveRByone (@RyB_311) May 12, 2023
Doc Rivers when its time to choke 3-1, 3-2 and 2-0 leads pic.twitter.com/wy8w3IkDfk
— Josh (@lLOVEDAME) May 12, 2023
A Doc Rivers offense crumbling down the stretch of a close out game tell me if youve heard this before
— Hoops Reference (@HoopsReference) May 12, 2023
The Sixers are not going anywhere under Doc Rivers. Never will.
— Hoops Reference (@HoopsReference) May 12, 2023
Really makes you wonder how Doc Rivers even won that one ship with Celtics lol
— Robert Littal BSO (@BSO) May 12, 2023
Fortunately for Rivers and the 76ers, the series is not over. But with a Game 7 looming in Boston, the path to the Conference Finals is now significantly more difficult.
"Devastating doesn't even begin to describe it… They had the best opportunity they've had in over 22 years, and they blew it."- Stephen A. Smith on the 76ers' Game 6 loss to the Celtics https://t.co/SfF9seR0uN pic.twitter.com/k3HG3MN1Mq
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) May 12, 2023
