The Milwaukee Bucks have reportedly fired Adrian Griffin despite their current run in the 2023-24 NBA wars. The 49-year-old was fired after 43 games, leading the Bucks to a 30-13 win-loss card which is second-best in the Eastern Conference.

In the meantime, Joe Prunty will take over on an interim basis, the third time he has done so. He has temporarily taken over the head coaching chores before. This includes the time when Jason Kidd was axed back in 2018, ESPN reported.

The Bucks are expected to make assistant Joe Prunty interim coach, sources tell ESPN. https://t.co/VayrSEMGP1

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) January 23, 2024

Griffin is good but still raw?

Although Griffin proved to be a good coach, it appears the Bucks want to make sure they don’t fall short in the postseason. Also, there were offseason incidents that added pressure on the Kansas native.

This is about the shocking departure of Terry Stotts who stepped down as assistant coach just days after a shootaround incident back in October, The Athletic reported.

“He was a terrific guy. I learned a lot from him in a very short time. He was really good at what he does. He made a decision – a personal decision – and we just have to respect that,” Griffin said at the time.

Aside from that, there was also a reported locker room incident involving Bobby Portis during the NBA In-Season tournament.

Is Doc Rivers back to coaching?

Although Prunty will act as coach for now, the Bucks are expected to be on the prowl for a proven and veteran head coach. One name that has cropped up is Doc Rivers.

Rivers has 25 years of coaching under his belt and also won an NBA title with the Boston Celtics in 2008, ESPN reported.

Other potential candidates for the Milwaukee Bucks head coaching vacancy include Nate McMillan, Jeff Van Gundy and Kenny Atkinson. Stotts and former Mike Budenholzer are also two names who could be in play, CBS Sports reported.