Milwaukee Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo was seen sharing a laugh with coach Doc Rivers after the Bucks’ final game of the 2025-26 regular season. The Bucks closed with a 126-106 loss to the Philadelphia 76ers, finishing 11th in the Eastern Conference with a 32-50 record.
Shortly after the game concluded, the Bucks announced on Sunday that they will be parting ways with Rivers. The coach signed a $40 million deal with the team after being hired in Jan. 2024 and will see the remainder of his contract paid out.
After news of Rivers’ sacking broke out, fans reacted to the clips of him and Antetokounmpo sharing a laugh on the sidelines after the Bucks’ final game. Here are the most noteworthy reactions on X:
“They going to the same team,” one fan said.
“He asking him where we going next,” another fan said.
“They are both smiling because both know they are out of that sinking ship wreck,” a fan wrote.
“Giannis telling Doc, ‘I’m leaving too,’” another fan wrote.
“Last time both of them walked off the court as members of that organization,” a fan commented.
Giannis Antetokounmpo reacts to Doc Rivers being fired by the Milwaukee Bucks
While many in the media agree that the writing had been on the wall for a while, Giannis Antetokounmpo was taken aback after the Milwaukee Bucks parted ways with Doc Rivers.
“It’s a shock to me,” Antetokounmpo said. “He’s had 25 years as a coach, an incredible coach, almost 15 years as a player. He’s been in the NBA for 30, 40 years. He’s definitely an NBA legend. As you guys know he’s a Hall of Famer. It was great working with him. … I got to go call him.”
With Rivers gone, many expect Antetokounmpo to be next. The relationship between the team and the player has become strained this season. Multiple reports indicate that the two-time MVP will be traded this summer.
The Bucks also tried to move Antetokounmpo in February and were close to accepting a trade package from the Miami Heat, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania. Giannis made 36 appearances this season, averaging 27.6 points, 9.8 rebounds and 5.4 assists per game.
Read More: Giannis Antetokounmpo Puts the Ball in Bucks’ Court Over His Shaky Future in Milwaukee
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