Mike Budenholzer faced off against the Milwaukee Bucks for the first time since getting fired by the team in 2023. He is now coaching the Phoenix Suns and for the nth time, he broke Bucks’ fans hearts.
Budenholzer, who led the Bucks to a 2021 NBA title, the first in 50 years, drew up a perfect play to give his team the victory on Monday.
Royce O’Neale, rookie Oso Ighodaro, and Devin Booker teamed up in their last possession. Booker received the ball from O’Neale and Ighodaro played as a screener to allow D-Book to have a one-on-one moment with Brook Lopez.
D-book sank the two-pointer, the Suns lead 108-106 with 1.1 seconds to go.
The Bucks failed to tie the shot after a Lopez fadeeway only graced the rim.
Although Booker made the lead-taking field goal, it was Kevin Durant who give his team the lead with 26 seconds to go. He probably learned from the two-point field goal he had in 2010 Eastern Semis Game 7 against the Bucks when they were needing a three to win it.
KD finished with 38 points while Booker had a total of 19.
Over at Milwaukee, Giannis Antetokounmpo 31 pointa and 10 rebounds while Brook Lopez contributed 19 on the scoreboard.
Milwaukee Bucks fans slam Bud for not doing what he did to Giannis on Monday
Although the Bud outsmarted Rivers in the game, one thing that led to many fans mind is how the Suns head coach was able to neutralize Antetokounmpo, something that is understandable since he knows the Greek Freak very well.
He did this by putting three men on the two-time MVP. It was not exactly effective as Antetokounmpo was able to set up his teammates like Gary Trent Jr who was four out of eight from the three and Kyle Kuzma who finished with 15 points.
What fans are questioning is why did he not do this in the 2023 playoffs in their infamous first round loss to the Miami Heat.
Antetokounmpo played just 2.25 games in that series but when he returned, he could have done more damage on the defensive end, especially against Jimmy Butler. However, he refused to put him on Jimmy. Later on, the Greek Freak said he was only following the coach’s decision when asked why he did not guard the former Miami star.
Now, Bucks fans are at a loss questioning Bud’s decision from back then when he could do it with the Suns.
Bud couldn’t do this to Butler in 2023? https://t.co/gIE5omJZoH pic.twitter.com/0gr0QJm8gT
— Maxence (@Xenceee) March 25, 2025
Bud throwing 4 men at Giannis while he sat there and let Jimmy drop 56 on single coverage
— rebuilding…. (@Just1nBurner) March 25, 2025
Bud you clown if you’d guarded Jimmy how you’re guarding Giannis you’d still be here
— Dabby (@hiimdabby) March 25, 2025
Bud watching his game plan to stop Giannis https://t.co/QKC7NL8gEg pic.twitter.com/FqA20Gqejc
— Paul Henning (@brewcitypaul) March 25, 2025
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!
