The Milwaukee Bucks announced on Tuesday that their first-year head coach Adrian Griffin was relieved of his duties. Griffin is out after leading the Bucks in only 43 regular-season games.
The Bucks fired championship-winning head coach Mike Budenholzer after the team flamed out in the first round of the 2022-23 NBA Playoffs. The franchise settled on Griffin as Budenholzer’s replacement, believing that the former Toronto Raptors assistant could bring fresh ideas and a different approach.
While Milwaukee finds itself second in the Eastern Conference with a 30-13 record, the Bucks brass reportedly wasn’t satisfied with the way the team looked on the court so far in the 2023-24 season. The main issue was the Bucks’ sluggish defense under Griffin and lack of ideas on how to use newly-acquired All-Star point guard Damian Lillard.
Before the Bucks find a new head coach, assistant Joe Prunty will take over on an interim basis.
“This was a difficult decision to make during the season,” said Bucks general manager Jon Horst in a statement. “We are working immediately toward hiring our next head coach. We thank Coach Griffin for his hard work and contributions to the team.”
According to multiple reports, the Bucks identified former Philadelphia 76ers head coach Doc Rivers as a replacement for Griffin. Rivers, who was fired by the 76ers at the end of the 2022-23 campaign, is currently serving as an NBA analyst with ESPN.
