Both JJ Redick and the Los Angeles Lakers and Doc Rivers’ Milwaukee Bucks were playing on the second night of a back-to-back. Fatigue may have played a role, but the Bucks appeared more drained than the Lakers in their lopsided defeat on Saturday. Los Angeles dominated early and never looked back, with Luka Doncic leading the charge, scoring 41 points.
The Lakers were sharp from the field, with Austin Reaves adding 25 points and Deandre Ayton contributing 20. Despite the team’s strong overall performance, it was Luka Doncic who proved lethal at the free-throw line, sinking 18 of 20 attempts and leaving Bucks coach Doc Rivers visibly frustrated.
Doc Rivers had to answer questions about Luka Doncic’s performance. An interviewer asked, “He almost shot as many free throws as you did as a team … I know he does it, but 20 is a lot. What did you see?” Rivers was asked to explain how one player nearly equaled his entire team in free-throw attempts.
Rivers, pointing to fatigue as a reason for the team’s sluggish play, began by acknowledging Doncic’s performance, saying, “Luka is good.” The Bucks head coach quickly shifted to criticizing the officiating and what he saw as a loophole. “The contact was Luca’s foot kicking out.” He even contested the challenge system, “If you can’t challenge a shot … I don’t know how you guard anybody.”
Buck coach Doc Rivers frustrated
The Bucks head coach’s frustration comes as officiating has become stricter across the league. Early in the 2025-26 season, teams are sending opponents to the free-throw line at rates not seen in roughly 30 years with at least 25.3 per 100 possessions. Coaches around the NBA have noted that containing star ball-handlers without giving up free throws is becoming more challenging by the week.
In the closing minutes of the Lakers’ win, Luka Doncic even baited Doc Rivers into challenging a foul call. Rivers went for the review, but the challenge backfired, and Doncic knocked down all three free throws.
Doncic continues to make Lakers history, and last night’s performance was proof. His 41-point outburst tied Magic Johnson for the 10th-most 40-point games in franchise history, achieved in just 33 games with Los Angeles.
He is averaging 33.7 points, 8.9 rebounds, and 9.2 assists per game while shooting 46.9% from the field. The Lakers have now improved to 10-4, holding first place in the Pacific Division, with their next game scheduled against the Utah Jazz.
