Celtics coach skips exhibition opener

AMHERST, Mass.—Boston Celtics coach Doc Rivers was not with the team for its exhibition opener against the Philadelphia 76ers on Wednesday night so he could return to his home in Orlando, Fla., for a personal matter.

Assistant coaches Tom Thibodeau and Armond Hill were to run the defending NBA champions in Rivers’ absence.

Also missing for the game at the University of Massachusetts was backup point guard Sam Cassell, who was in Baltimore to be with an ill family member.