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The Los Angeles Lakers vs New Orleans Pelicans matchup was arguably the most anticipated NBA In-Season Tournament semifinal, and Doc Rivers got to call the game for ESPN. Known for his quick wit, the former league coach-turned-full-time sports analyst had some interesting jabs on the commentary booth.
With the Pelicans up by just one point with 35 seconds left in the first quarter, they had a chance to pad up the lead but spoiled three chances to do so.
Grabbing the defensive rebound was Austin Reaves with 23.5 seconds to go. With Kevin Harlan calling the game alongside Doc Rivers, the latter was probably expecting the Lakers to run to the offensive side with haste. Instead, Reaves slowed the pace and burned the clock for one final shot of the quarter.
"That was one ugly fastbreak," said Rivers, making the panel giggle.
The LA Lakers then mounted a huge lead and found themselves on a 31-point advantage over the New Orleans Pelicans by the 3:17 mark of the third quarter. The Lakers eventually won 133-89 to set up a meeting with the Indiana Pacers in the final.
LeBron James scored 30 points, eight assists, and five rebounds while Anthony Davis controlled the paint with 16 points, 15 rebounds, and two blocks.
Doc Rivers' son asserts the Philadelphia 76ers unfairly let him go
The Philadelphia 76ers were one win away from making the 2023 NBA Eastern Conference Finals but lost, with the Boston Celtics winning Games 6 and 7.
After the season ended for the Sixers, Doc Rivers was fired by the organization and replaced by Nick Nurse as the coach. Doc's son Austin Rivers was on ESPN, throwing shade at the Sixers management for letting his father go. He also had something to say to Daryl Morey, the president of basketball operations of Philadelphia.
"I'm not gonna say anything positive about Philly, man," Rivers said. "They did my pops dirty, bro. I got nothing to say about them. It is personal. Family over everything, bro. Family first, man. Come on Daryl (Morey). I'm talking to you."
The abrupt exit of Doc Rivers was overshadowed when James Harden asked for a trade in the off-season. It has been alleged that the disgruntled NBA star had influenced the management to fire Rivers.
With the coaching door closed for Doc Rivers, he now finds himself as part of the ESPN broadcast panel covering NBA games, including the NBA In-Season Tournament semifinals.
