On June 4, 2026, Doc Rivers joined Bill Simmons live on Netflix to recap Game 1 of the NBA Finals. Rivers then took his analysis to the airwaves, joining the host in person. Opening the episode of The Bill Simmons Podcast, the host announced, "All right, Doc Rivers is here in studio."
The studio appearance was a hit, with Bill Simmons wrapping up the recording by giving a warm shout-out to his guest: "Thanks to Doc Rivers."
Rivers's real-time insights apparently continued throughout the series. In a later episode recapping the New York Knicks' historic run, Bill Simmons shared a text exchange with guest Zach Lowe. Simmons recounted, "Doc Rivers texted me during the fourth quarter and he was just like, 'This is a replay of all the f- other finals games.'" Simmons agreed, comparing the Knicks' predictable play to watching a formulaic TV episode. With the season wrapped, fans will be watching to see if Rivers transitions more permanently into the media landscape.