Philadelphia 76ers coach Doc Rivers cleared the COVID-19 protocol and will coach Wednesday’s game against the Orlando Magic, the team announced.
Rivers missed the team’s past two games. He went into the protocol last Thursday.
Acting coach Dan Burke directed Philadelphia to wins over the Brooklyn Nets and Houston Rockets during Rivers’ absence. Burke typically handles the 76ers’ defense.
“I’m not saying we don’t miss Doc; we do miss Doc, but to have a different look, a different feel, a different voice in practice makes things a little different,” swingman Danny Green said after Monday’s 133-113 home victory over the Houston Rockets. “It makes us hone in more because we know we’re missing one of our biggest leaders, and that’s Doc.”
Rivers, 60, ranks 10th on the NBA all-time coaching victories list with 1,012.
Philadelphia will be without four players on Wednesday due to COVID-19 protocols: Tyrese Maxey, Paul Reed, Jaden Springer and Matisse Thybulle. Another player, Myles Powell, is questionable.
Also, Shake Milton (back) will miss the contest.
–Field Level Media