The Philadelphia 76ers have a pivotal showdown with the Eastern Conference's best in the Brooklyn Nets. Unfortunately, Sixers head coach Doc Rivers was hit with a COVID-19 setback ahead of the big game against the Nets, per ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski.

The Sixers will now have to take on the Nets without head coach Doc Rivers, who has entered the league's COVID protocols, as reported by ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski.

It's a big blow to a Sixers team that has been playing mediocre basketball lately, as evidenced by their 5-5 record in their last 10 games played. With Rivers in the COVID protocols, the Sixers will turn to assistant coach Dan Burke, who will operate as the team's head coach against the Nets and for any other games that Rivers is sidelined for.

Already without Danny Green, who is in the COVID protocols, and possibly Shake Milton as well, the Sixers are in for an even tougher test against the Nets.

Being without Rivers, the leader of the Sixers, is unquestionably a tougher blow to the organization, even if it's just for a few games. Such is life in the current state of the NBA.

The Sixers, like other teams dealing with COVID, will have to make do without head coach Doc Rivers for their game against the Nets.