Doc Rivers breaks his silence on the controversial conclusion of the Kings game
Milwaukee Bucks head coach Doc Rivers he didn’t bite his tongue after the chaotic finish against Sacramento Kings. In remarks shared on X by beat writer Eric Nehm, Rivers went through a list of late whistles (and non-whistles) that have stuck with him: possible contact with Giannis Antetokounmpo before the catch, undrafted offensive goalkeeper on Russell Westbrook, and technically on Gary Trent Jr.
The fix is here. I have never seen SUCH a one sided officiating for the home team. The Bucks completely screwed up in this game. Random techs. Domas climbs over the back. Offensive goalie with no call. Absolute rubbish. pic.twitter.com/UBk3k3JKVB
— Pensare Basketball (@PensareBBall) November 1, 2025
“Having said all that, the refs have nothing to do with why we lost this game,” Rivers added. “You have to work really hard to lose that game, and I thought we did. I just thought our defense wasn’t up to par.”
Milwaukee shot 59.8% from the field and still lost, falling 135–133 at Fiserv Forum. Sacramento lived at the line and cashed in, going 35-of-40 on free throws to the Bucks’ 20-of-31. That gap became the largest when the game slowed to a clutch.
Giannis Antetokounmpo had a career double-double26 points, 11 rebounds, eight assists, but never fully controlled the fourth. Kyle Kuzma roared off the bench to keep Milwaukee in it, and AJ Green got a look at a late tying shot that Sacramento smartly wiped out with a foul before being released. The Kings carried them as Zach LaVine, DeMar DeRozan, Domantas Sabonis and Dennis Schroder all scored 24-plus points on a night full of boos.
Temperatures soared after Russell Westbrook’s foul on Antetokounmpo sparked a brief brawl. The reaction from the fans matched the mood, with a number of moves about unlimited officiating and missed calls in the final minutes.
Strip away the noise, and Rivers’ bottom line still falls. Milwaukee surrendered 51.7% shooting and 35.7% from three, couldn’t control the lane and gave Sacramento too many clear trips in crunch time. The Bucks offense was efficient enough to win; their defense was not strong enough to close.
The Bucks expected Giannis Antetokounmpo to respond, and he didso this was not a minor. It was a lesson in margins. A couple of possessions, a couple of calls, a handful of free throws. Rivers took charge with his line; the officials didn’t cost milwaukee the game, it was milwaukee’s details.
2025-11-02 01:16:00
