The NBA has fined Milwaukee Bucks head coach Doc Rivers $25,000 for publicly blasting referees following the team’s nail-biting 114-115 loss to the Charlotte Hornets. Rivers, visibly enraged after a controversial last-second foul called on Giannis Antetokounmpo, didn’t hold back in his criticism of the officiating, sparking headlines and a hefty penalty.
Rivers Slams Refs Over Game-Changing Call
Rivers’ frustration boiled over after what he deemed a game-deciding “blown call” on Antetokounmpo, who was whistled for impeding LaMelo Ball in the closing seconds. The foul allowed the Hornets to clinch the game, leaving Rivers fuming in the post-game presser.
“I thought the final play was the ref blowing the call. This is the second game in a row where the refs made the wrong call at the worst time,” Rivers said. “LaMelo fell—just fell down. Nobody touched him. We grab the ball, the game is over. And there was clearly no foul. The ref who made the call couldn’t even see the play. You can’t guess at the end of a game. Both teams worked too hard for that.”
Rivers wasn’t alone in his outrage. Bucks star Damian Lillard also criticized the officiating, though the league has yet to announce whether he will face disciplinary action.
Bucks Struggling to Live Up to Expectations
Rivers’ fiery comments come amid a disappointing start to the season for the Bucks, who sit 12th in the Eastern Conference with a 4-9 record—far from the championship aspirations many had for the team. Despite the struggles, Rivers has remained optimistic, recently declaring that he believes Milwaukee will still make the playoffs.
However, fans and analysts alike are losing patience. With a roster featuring Giannis Antetokounmpo playing at an MVP level and a mostly healthy lineup (minus Khris Middleton), the Bucks have underperformed on both ends of the court.
The team ranks a mediocre 16th in defensive rating (113.6) and 18th in offensive rating (110.9). Although their defense has improved slightly after facing weaker opponents recently, their inconsistent play has left fans wondering if changes are looming.
Is Doc Rivers on the Hot Seat?
As frustrations mount, Rivers’ position as head coach may be in jeopardy. Giannis Antetokounmpo has shown visible frustration with the team’s performance, and if the Bucks don’t turn things around soon, the front office may look to shake things up—whether by altering the roster or making a coaching change.
For now, Rivers remains defiant, but the pressure is on. With championship expectations hanging over the franchise, time is running out for the Bucks to prove they belong in the contender conversation. Whether they can rally under Rivers’ leadership or crumble under the weight of expectations remains to be seen.