Just a few days ago, things were looking good for the Philadelphia 76ers.
They had taken a 3-2 series lead over the Boston Celtics in the second round of the playoffs with a strong 115-103 win in Massachusetts.
But they put up a dud of a performance in Game 6, scoring just 86 points while losing by nine points, and on Sunday, they fell 112-88 in the deciding Game 7.
It was Sixers head coach Doc Rivers’ 10th Game 7 loss and yet another blown 3-2 series lead.
That's five more than any other head coach. pic.twitter.com/JCT1fklghv
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) May 14, 2023
Rivers has long had a reputation as one of the NBA’s most capable coaches, both in terms of strategic acumen and his ability to handle big egos and personalities, and that reputation was forged when he led the Celtics to the world championship in 2008.
But ever since, that reputation has been slowly eroding.
In 2010, Boston led the NBA Finals 3-2 over their archrival Los Angeles Lakers, and after getting blown out in Game 6, they led by 13 points in the third quarter of Game 7, only to see their offense collapse down the stretch.
They ended up losing 83-79 and had to watch Kobe Bryant get his fifth Larry O’Brien Trophy.
Since then, Rivers’ Celtics, Los Angeles Clippers, and Sixers have suffered numerous other heart-wrenching game 7 losses, which included giving up a 3-1 series lead not once but twice.
There is now plenty of speculation that Philly may end up firing Rivers.
One way or another, the team needs an injection of something if it is to reach the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time since 2001.
NEXT: Joel Embiid Dealt With A Shocking Problem In Game 6
