Stephen Lew-Imagn Images

Bucks Make Coaching Announcement After Doc Rivers News

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Paolo Songco | Last updated Feb 12, 2026 6:38 PM ET

The Milwaukee Bucks will be looking to close out the first half of the season with a win on Thursday night. However, they will need to do so without head coach Doc Rivers.

Rivers and the Bucks have been rolling of late. They have won four out of their last five games despite not having Giannis Antetokounmpo in the lineup. The former NBA MVP is still dealing with a calf injury and has missed Milwaukee’s last eight games. At this point, there is still no firm timetable for Antetokounmpo’s return to action.

The Bucks face a tough test on Thursday night. They host the defending champions, the Oklahoma City Thunder, in a road game at Paycom Center.

Milwaukee Bucks coach Doc Rivers shouts instruction during gameBenny Sieu-Imagn Images

Rivers will not be able to coach his team against OKC on Thursday. The 64-year-old is currently not with the team due to a personal matter.

The Bucks took to social media roughly two hours before tip-off to announce the news. Taking Rivers’ spot on the bench against the Thunder will be assistant coach Darvin Ham.

“Doc Rivers is attending a funeral and will not be in Oklahoma City for tonight's game. Darvin Ham will serve as head coach vs. the Thunder,” the team posted on X.

Doc Rivers is attending a funeral and will not be in Oklahoma City for tonight's game.

Darvin Ham will serve as head coach vs. the Thunder.
— Milwaukee Bucks (@Bucks) February 12, 2026

Rivers coached the Bucks on Wednesday night against the Orlando Magic on the road. After the game, the NBA champion coach heaped praise on new recruit Cam Thomas. The 6-foot-3 shooting guard went off for 34 points to lead Milwaukee to a 116-108 victory.

Thursday’s matchup against the Thunder is the Bucks’ last game before the All-Star break. At this point, there is no reason to believe that Rivers will not be back on the bench for their next game. Milwaukee returns to action on Feb. 20 in a road matchup against the New Orleans Pelicans.

For now, Ham will need to take over head coaching duties against Oklahoma City. The Bucks enter Thursday’s game with a 22-30 record. They are 12th in the Eastern Conference.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: