BOSTON -- Boston Celtics coach Doc Rivers has rejoined the
team after flying to Chicago to be with family following the death
of his father.
Rivers said he planned to coach the Celtics in Wednesday night's
home game against the Denver Nuggets and Friday's game against the
Atlanta Hawks. He then planned to return to Chicago.
The Celtics might have given their coach a little lift, destroying the Nuggets 119-93 on Wednesday.
Funeral services for Grady Alexander Rivers Sr. are scheduled
for Saturday at Second Baptist Church in Mayfield, Ill. The retired
Chicago police officer died last weekend at the age of 76.
Doc Rivers said he has chartered a plane to take him to New
Jersey, where the Celtics play the Nets on Saturday night. But he
said his emotional state after the funeral may determine whether he
makes the trip.
"Obviously, it's tough for me," he said. "I have to get
through it. It's good to have family around, and the team is great
to be around."
Rivers left the Celtics (3-0) before Sunday's 98-95 overtime win in
Toronto.
Assistant Tom Thibodeau replaced Rivers and came up with the play that got the ball to Ray Allen for the winning 3-pointer with less than 3 seconds to play.
Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.