Mike Breen has funny way to bring up Doc Rivers’ ESPN exit for Bucks job

There was an elephant in the arena on Wednesday night, and Mike Breen made sure to address it right away.

Before ESPN’s broadcast of the Mavericks vs. Suns game in Dallas, the ESPN play-by-play announcer discussed who was and wasn’t available for the matchup — including Doc Rivers.

The now-former ESPN NBA analyst joined the coaching ranks again on Wednesday, reportedly taking the Bucks’ head coaching job after Adrian Griffin was let go.

That left ESPN without Rivers on broadcasts going forward, but Breen wanted to send his best to his ex-colleague.

“First order of business is who is available tonight. For Dallas, Kyrie Irving is out for Phoenix, Eric Gordon is out. For ABC/ESPN Doc Rivers is out,” Breen said while standing with Doris Burke, “Our dear friend has decided that life as an NBA broadcaster is way too stressful So he’s decided to opt for a less stressful job — an NBA head coach on a team that’s trying to win a championship.

“We thank him for all his many weeks of service and we wish him luck in the world. Seriously, Doris, we’re a little heartbroken today, disappointed, but we’re thrilled for our friend because coaching is in his blood, it’s what he loves to do. And this is a tremendous opportunity in a city that he has history in.”

Burke got a little emotional when she spoke about Rivers’ departure, adding that she would try not to choke up.

“Our friend has got a legit shot to compete in the East, and I’m going to try to be happy for you, Doc,” she added.

Griffin’s axing and Rivers’ subsequent hire not only made for a shakeup for the Bucks and the Eastern Conference, but on ESPN’s NBA broadcasting lineup as questions lingered on how the network would proceed with coverage for the rest of the season.

Rivers was hired this year after ESPN let go of longtime analysts Jeff Van Gundy and Mark Jackson.

The Post’s Andrew Marchand reported Tuesday that ESPN did not want Rivers to view his TV gig as a placeholder until he found another coaching spot, but that ended up happening.

According to Marchand, JJ Redick and Richard Jefferson could be potential replacements to fill the Rivers void for the rest of the season.

Front Office Sports reported that it’s possible that ESPN could just go with Breen and Burke as a two-man crew for the rest of the season.

Either way, Rivers will have his work cut out for him, taking over a Bucks team that came into Wednesday night’s action as the No. 2 team in the East but struggling on the defensive side of the ball.