Doc Rivers slammed after dismal 76ers loss

The Philadelphia 76ers squandered Game 6 of their Eastern Conference semifinal on Thursday night. In the aftermath of that game, Philadelphia coach Doc Rivers is in a role he’s been in a lot in recent years — getting criticized for not closing the deal.

It was a perfect scenario for the 76ers. The game was in Philadelphia. Boston star Jayson Tatum was ice-cold throughout the game. At home against a struggling star is an ideal scenario to not only win a game, but win decisively. And while the Celtics led for most of the game, the 76ers took a lead into the fourth quarter. But they couldn’t close. Boston stayed close and eventually, Tatum found his shot. When the game ended, Philadelphia was on the wrong end of a 95-86 final.

Rivers struggled in the playoffs during his tenure with the Orlando Magic and even in his early days leading the Celtics. But in 2008, Rivers led the Celtics to a championship. Two years later, Boston returned to the NBA Finals, losing to the Los Angeles Lakers. Two years after that, Rivers and the Celtics reached the Conference Finals before falling to the Miami Heat.

Since then, though, Rivers has consistently come short of the Conference Finals, whether coaching the Celtics, Los Angeles Clippers or the 76ers. That includes some significant chokes.

And after Thursday, basketball fans were wondering if this may ultimately be the latest in that line.

Fortunately for Rivers and the 76ers, the series is not over. But with a Game 7 looming in Boston, the path to the Conference Finals is now significantly more difficult.