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The Nuggets and Nikola Jokić ruin Doc Rivers’ coaching debut with the Milwaukee Bucks
The commencement of the Doc Rivers era in Milwaukee faced an unexpected setback as his debut as head coach for the Bucks did not unfold as anticipated. The Denver Nuggets, led by Nikola Jokić, staged a comeback to secure a 113-107 victory on Monday night at Ball Arena. Jokić achieved a triple-double with 25 points, 16 rebounds, and 12 assists, while Jamal Murray contributed 35 points to seal the win for the Nuggets, marking a disappointing start for Rivers with the Bucks.
Last week, the Milwaukee Bucks terminated the contract of Adrian Griffin after just 43 games into his stint as the head coach of the team. Griffin had taken over from Mike Budenholzer, who was dismissed following the Bucks’ early exit from the playoffs last spring. This was Griffin’s inaugural role as a head coach in the league, having previously served as an assistant for 15 seasons and played professionally for nearly a decade. At the time of his dismissal, the Bucks held a 30-13 record, securing the second spot in the Eastern Conference.
In quick succession, the Bucks appointed Doc Rivers to the coaching position. Rivers, previously an ESPN analyst, had been let go by the Philadelphia 76ers in the offseason. With 24 seasons of head-coaching experience in the league, Rivers notably clinched an NBA championship with the Boston Celtics in 2008.
“I’ve never been in this situation before,” Rivers expressed last week when discussing his midseason entry into the team, as reported by The Athletic. “I wouldn’t wish this upon anyone, I can assure you, just based on the brief time I’ve had. However, it’s a challenge I’m embracing. We need to swiftly get organized. It’s crucial not to attempt too much too soon. Since we’re in the midst of the season, maintaining our rhythm is essential. While changes are necessary, there’s no denying that, and we’ll begin addressing them right away.”
Rivers acknowledged that with the Bucks, the situation is more favorable compared to most first-year coaching experiences. “They have a clear vision of their objectives,” Rivers commented before the game, as reported by Bally Sports Wisconsin. “This isn’t a team where you need to persuade them of their potential. In my previous job, in the first year, it felt like I was trying to convince them of how good they could be. With this team, we already have five players who have achieved success. Dame joined because he aspires to accomplish it. There’s no need to convince them of a goal; they are already well aware of what the goal is.”
In Rivers’ inaugural game with the Bucks, the team made a strong start by initiating a 17-6 run on Monday night, shooting an impressive 7-of-10 from the field. However, the Nuggets gradually narrowed the lead, and both teams went into halftime tied at 56-56. Jamal Murray showcased an outstanding performance with 21 points in the first half, connecting on 9-of-15 field goal attempts.
Heading into the fourth quarter, the Nuggets secured a seven-point lead after limiting the Bucks to 19 points in the third quarter, and Nikola Jokić had already achieved a triple-double. The Bucks mounted a comeback in the final quarter, beginning with a 13-4 run that included two crucial 3-pointers from Bobby Portis. Despite Portis initially struggling with his shots, these baskets brought the Bucks closer. Giannis Antetokounmpo narrowed the gap to three points late in the game, but the Nuggets, propelled by Murray’s 14 points in the fourth quarter, managed to secure a six-point victory.
Jokić recorded 10-of-25 from the field, making just 1-of-6 attempts from beyond the arc, while Michael Porter Jr. contributed 13 points, and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope finished with 10. The Nuggets struggled from the 3-point line, shooting only 4-of-18. The victory marked a significant milestone for Nuggets head coach Michael Malone, achieving his 400th career win with the franchise.
Antetokounmpo led the Bucks with 29 points and 12 rebounds, with Brook Lopez adding 19 points and Damian Lillard contributing 18 points and five assists. Despite the loss, the Bucks have only dropped two of their last six games. Their next game is against the Portland Trail Blazers on Wednesday night. Rivers will have his home debut on February 8, as the Bucks host the Minnesota Timberwolves at Fiserv Forum to conclude their five-game road trip.
