After a disheartening Game 7 loss to the Boston Celtics on Sunday, the Philadelphia 76ers had to make a change. The loss marked their third consecutive exit in the Eastern Conference semifinals and the fifth time in the past six seasons that they have been ousted from Round 2.

Unfortunately, with the result being the same for three straight seasons, that means big changes come to leadership. Maybe a new voice needs to be heard going forward.

That’s what the Sixers believe as they have parted ways with coach Doc Rivers after three seasons at the helm. In three seasons in Philadelphia, he had a 154-82 record which is good for a .653 winning percentage, but he wasn’t able to guide the Sixers on the deep playoff run they expected with the talent they have.

When one looks back on the Rivers era, it will be filled with missed opportunities. They were the No. 1 seed in 2021 before falling to the Atlanta Hawks and they also had their chances against the Miami Heat in 2022 and the Celtics in 2023. Philadelphia held a 3-2 lead in this latest trip up against Boston and they dropped Game 6 at home before falling in Game 7.

Did Rivers deserve to get fired? Probably. Just because of the playoff failures and this is a performance-based industry, but there is no question that he made a positive impact on Joel Embiid and the roster.

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Story originally appeared on Sixers Wire