Legendary Celtics Coach Makes Jump to Broadcasting Ahead of 2026-27 Season image
David Butler II-Imagn Images
Doc Rivers is returning to the broadcast booth.
NBC Sports announced Monday that the Naismith Basketball Hall of Famer will join its NBA coverage as a game analyst for the 2026-27 season. Rivers will work games across NBC, Peacock and NBCSN as the network begins its new NBA coverage next month.
Rivers brings more than 40 years of NBA experience to the role as both a player and coach. He spent 12 seasons in the NBA as a point guard, including a stint with the Atlanta Hawks that earned him an All-Star selection in 1988.
His coaching career included stops with the Orlando Magic, Boston Celtics, Los Angeles Clippers, Philadelphia 76ers and Milwaukee Bucks. Rivers' most notable run came in Boston, where he coached the Celtics to the 2008 NBA championship and another NBA Finals appearance in 2010.
Rivers finished his coaching career with 1,194 wins, the sixth-most in NBA history. He was inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame as part of the 2026 class.
The move also marks a return to NBC for Rivers. He previously worked as a studio analyst for the network during the 2012 London Olympics according to an ESPN release.
Rivers said he is now fully retired from coaching and plans to give broadcasting his full attention.
“I loved playing the game, I loved coaching it, and I've always loved talking about it,” Rivers said, per NBC Sports. “I'm excited to be back and share my perspective alongside such a talented team.”
Rivers also will have a familiar face on the NBC Sports team. His son, Austin Rivers, is an NBA veteran and analyst for the network. Doc Rivers coached Austin with the Clippers from 2015-18, making them the first father-son duo in NBA history to work together as coach and player.
Several other NBC analysts also have ties to Rivers. He coached Grant Hill and Tracy McGrady with the Magic, Brian Scalabrine with the Celtics and Jamal Crawford with the Clippers.
After spending years on the sidelines, Rivers will now offer his perspective from the other side of the game as NBC launches its latest chapter of NBA coverage.
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