Naismith Basketball Hall of Famer and NBA Champion Head Coach Has Combined 40 Years of NBA Experience as Player and Coach
STAMFORD, Conn. – Sept. 21, 2026 – Doc Rivers — a Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame coaching inductee, 2008 NBA champion head coach of the Boston Celtics, 13-year player, and veteran broadcaster — is joining NBC Sports as an NBA game analyst when its coverage of the association continues next month across NBC, Peacock, and NBCSN. Rivers has more than 40 years of NBA experience as both a player and head coach.
“I loved playing the game, I loved coaching it, and I’ve always loved talking about it,” said Doc Rivers. “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.”
“It’s been 14 years since Doc worked for us as a studio analyst at the 2012 London Olympics, and we couldn’t be happier to have him back on the NBC Sports team,” said Sam Flood, Executive Producer & President, NBC Sports. “Having led the Celtics to the 2008 NBA title with nearly four decades of NBA experience between coaching and playing, we are excited to add another Hall of Famer to our roster.”
Rivers, named one of the Top 15 Coaches in NBA History, has had an illustrious career. His accomplishments include winning the 2008 NBA Championship with the Boston Celtics and leading them to another Finals appearance in 2010; winning the NBA Coach of the Year award in 2000 with the Orlando Magic; and serving as an NBA All-Star Game head coach four times (2008, 2011, 2021, 2024). He ranks sixth on the NBA’s all-time list of coaches with the most wins (1,194) and fourth on the all-time list for most games coached (2,059). Aside from the Magic (1999-2003) and Celtics (2004-2013), Rivers also served as the head coach of the Los Angeles Clippers (2013-2020), Philadelphia 76ers (2020-2023), and Milwaukee Bucks (2024-2026). Throughout his career, Rivers coached 40 NBA All-Stars, 21 All-NBA selections, and one NBA MVP (Joel Embiid in 2023).
The No. 31 overall pick in the 1983 NBA Draft out of Marquette, Rivers played 12 seasons (1983-1996), primarily with the Atlanta Hawks, where he was named a 1988 NBA All-Star. The veteran point guard also spent time with the Clippers, New York Knicks, and San Antonio Spurs. Rivers enjoyed a successful collegiate career at Marquette, where his No. 31 is retired by the school, and was also a decorated high school player, where he was named a First Team All-American and Mr. Basketball USA during his senior year at Proviso East High School in Maywood, Ill.
Following his retirement in 1996, Rivers began his broadcasting career as a commentator for Turner Sports before beginning his coaching career in 1999. He also worked for ESPN in between coaching stints in 2003-04 and 2023.
Rivers is the father of 11-year NBA veteran and NBC Sports basketball analyst Austin Rivers, whom he coached on the Clippers from 2015-2018, becoming the first father to coach his son in NBA history.
Rivers’ coaching tree has extensive roots with the NBA on NBC Sports team. He coached analysts Tracy McGrady and Grant Hill on the Magic, with the Hall of Fame duo combining for five NBA All-Star appearances and three All-NBA teams during their time with Rivers. McGrady also won the 2003 NBA scoring title and 2001 NBA Most Improved Player of the Year award in this span. Rivers also coached analyst Jamal Crawford on the Clippers, where Crawford won two NBA Sixth Man of the Year awards (2014, 2016), and analyst Brian Scalabrine on the Celtics, winning the 2008 NBA Finals together.
- Grant Hill, Orlando Magic (2000-2003)
- Tracy McGrady, Orlando Magic (2000-2003)
- Brian Scalabrine, Boston Celtics (2005-2010)
- Jamal Crawford, Los Angeles Clippers (2013-2017)
- Austin Rivers, Los Angeles Clippers (2015-2018)
NBC Sports’ NBA coverage begins in October 2026. Click here for more on Rivers.
For NBC Sports’ complete 2026-27 NBA regular-season schedule, click here.
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