Rivers misses Celtics game after father's death

TORONTO -- Celtics coach Doc Rivers left the team before Boston's game Sunday against the Raptors after his father died in Chicago.

The Celtics said Rivers left Toronto on Sunday morning. Grady Alexander Rivers Sr. was 76. There was no immediate word on the cause of death and funeral arrangements have yet to be announced.

Assistants Tom Thibodeau and Armond Hill will handle the coaching duties in Rivers' absence.

A 13-year NBA veteran, Rivers became the 16th coach in Celtics history on April 29, 2004, and won NBA Coach of the Year honors as Boston went 45-37 and won the Atlantic Division title in his debut season.

Now in his fourth season with Boston, Rivers, 46, has led the Celtics to a 103-144 record.

Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press

Source: ESPN.com