Doc Rivers Blasts Referees After Bucks’ Controversial Loss to Hornets
- On November 16, 2024, Milwaukee Bucks coach Doc Rivers expressed frustration over a controversial foul call against Giannis Antetokounmpo.
- Antetokounmpo's last-second jumper missed, sealing the Bucks’ defeat.
- In that earlier game, Antetokounmpo had a similar foul called against him with only 1 second left.
Bucks Coach Criticizes Referees After Close Loss
On November 16, 2024, Milwaukee Bucks coach Doc Rivers expressed frustration over a controversial foul call against Giannis Antetokounmpo. The Bucks lost 115-114 to the Charlotte Hornets. The game was tight, with only 7.3 seconds remaining when LaMelo Ball drove to the basket. During the play, Ball fell, but replays showed no contact. Despite this, Antetokounmpo received a foul. Ball made both free throws, giving the Hornets the lead.
Antetokounmpo’s last-second jumper missed, sealing the Bucks’ defeat. Rivers criticized the officiating, stating, “The final play was the ref blowing a call.” He noted that this incident followed another controversial call in a previous game against the Detroit Pistons.
In that earlier game, Antetokounmpo had a similar foul called against him with only 1 second left. The Pistons missed two critical free throws, allowing the Bucks to win 127-120.
Rivers highlighted the challenge of the recent calls, saying, “LaMelo Ball fell. Nobody was near him. He slipped on his own.” He underscored the impact of these calls, noting they were incorrect and that the team was fortunate in Detroit, unlike in this matchup where the free throws decided the game.