Green confetti flew all over the TD Garden on Sunday afternoon. The Boston Celtics, thanks to a historic performance from Jayson Tatum, beat the Philadelphia 76ers in a dominant Game 7 win. The contest seemed competitive at one point. However, the home fans soon realized it was their night to celebrate. Joel Embiid and James Harden ran cold with their season on the line. Not just that, but Doc Rivers suffered yet another Game 7 loss, the 10th of his career. After the game, he addressed a scary situation that has haunted the league’s coaches of late.
Embiid and Harden did their reputation no good after their performances on Sunday. The duo combined for just 24 points on a night the 76ers needed them the most. The same goes for Rivers, who lost yet another series after leading 3-2. Philly will be majorly disappointed that they weren’t able to close the series out at home in Game 6.
Doc Rivers might lose his job after James Harden and Sixers got wrecked by Jayson Tatum
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Tonight was a blowout. The Celtics looked in command despite losing the first quarter. They were calculated, in sync, and came off as the more prepared side. Then there was, of course, the explosion by Jayson Tatum who ran off for 51 points, the most in Game 7 history. The big chance of making the Finals for the Sixers sank. It was the second straight season James Harden and Co. had fallen short, and yet another disappointing exit for Doc Rivers while having a great team.
After suffering the season-ending loss, the media was curious – has Rivers’ time run out in Philly? The head coach admitted that he wished to return and has two years left on his contract. But there was also a sense of doubt about his job.
“No one?s safe in our business. I get that.?
Reporter: “Are you planning to coach [the Sixers] next year?”
Doc Rivers: “Yeah. I think I got 2 years left.”
“Given the terror of what you’ve seen the last 2 years, are you—“
“No one’s safe in our business. I get that.”
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) May 14, 2023
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Two well-reputed head coaches were shown the door in this postseason alone. It began with the Milwaukee Bucks letting go of Mike Budenholzer after their first-round loss to the Miami Heat. Following the shocking firing, the Phoenix Suns joined the trend. They fired Monty Williams after an underwhelming end to their season.
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Will Rivers be subject to something similar? We can’t tell anything just yet. Nonetheless, the Sixers need to do some major study to figure out what’s best for them. The franchise has an MVP, a future Hall of Famer, and role players all in their grasp. However, despite the abundance of talent, they have failed to reach the Finals.
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Keeping Rivers aside, James Harden and Joel Embiid could be thinking about their futures after the loss as well. Do you think Philadelphia can be the place it happens for them in the coming seasons? Let us know what you think in the comments below.