The Milwaukee Bucks lost to the New York Knicks on Sunday and that is their eighth loss against a team inside the Top 3 of the Eastern Conference. They haven’t won any. Doc Rivers is not worried.
The Bucks, led by top NBA All-Star 2025 vote getter Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard, lost three times to defending champions Boston Celtics and current league leaders Cleveland Cavaliers, and then twice to the Knicks.
Common NBA fans would normally see this as an omen come playoff time but Rivers is not bothered.
The one-time NBA champion coach made the comments while talking about their loss to the Knicks and how they will probably meet these top teams in the playoffs.
“I don’t know yet,” Rivers said. “We’ve played them twice, two afternoon games, two funky games. That’s what I mean by regular season, playoffs big difference,” he said.
He recognized though that losing big time to Knicks should make them feel something.
“But I will say they’ve beaten us pretty soundly twice. And so there’s something there, it’s not just a coincidence. There’s something there that we have to figure out.”
Doc Rivers’ team’s problem isn’t personnel
It would be easy to believe that Rivers believes in what he says. After all, they have an MVP contender with them.
However, their 20-17 record speaks a lot, especially when they are losing games they are supposed to be winning.
They have lost against the likes of Brooklyn Nets (thrice) and the Portland Trailblazers while barely surviving those who are among the league’s worst.
The problem is consistency and desire to compete, something that Antetokounmpo has repeatedly spoken about.
Despite the struggle, the Greek Freak believes they are a capable team.
As I said we are way better team than the November team. We have proven it, played better basketball for longer stretches. But at the end of the day, when you play the top three teams, you gotta do a better job. We gotta take it. They’re not gonna give it to us.
For more great Wisconsin sports content
Follow us @WiSportsHeroics for the latest and trending news about Packers, Brewers, Bucks, Marquette, and the rest of Wisconsin Sports. Stay updated by reading more of our Wisconsin Sports articles by clicking here and college basketball by clicking here!
