Rivers, whose last role was with the Philadelphia 76ers, argues a call with referee Tony Brothers. Image:GETTY IMAGES
Doc Rivers’ first-ever Milwaukee coaching gig.
Doc Rivers’ first game in charge of the Milwaukee Bucks was ruined by the Denver Nuggets, as Nikola Jokic recorded his 14th triple-double of the year.
In the 113-107 triumph, the Serbian big ended with 25 points, 16 rebounds, and 12 assists. The fourth-highest triple-double in NBA history, this one came in his 119th regular season game.
After the Bucks fired first-year coach Adrian Gryphon on January 23, Rivers assumed leadership of the team. Before Rivers’ first game in command, the Bucks went 2-1 under interim coach Joe Prunty.
Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 29 points, and Damian Lillard finished with 18 points. Jamal Murray led the winners with 35.
Rivers was encouraged by Milwaukee’s performance despite the setback. “I was very happy overall,” he remarked. “That altercation is taking place. That’s quite positive for the future.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 37 points, but it was all in vain as the Oklahoma City Thunder lost 107-101 to the Minnesota Timberwolves in their Western Conference matchup at the top of the table.
The teams had been fighting it out for the top spot in the West for the majority of the season, and they both had 32-14 records going into Monday’s game.
Before Minnesota pulled away in the final minutes of the game, outscoring the Thunder 34–24 in the fourth quarter, there had been 24 lead changes in the contest.
Karl-Anthony Towns finished with 21 points, while Anthony Edwards led the Wolves in scoring with 27.
Minnesota’s five starting players all finished with double figures.
In other news, the Boston Celtics defeated the New Orleans Pelicans 118–112, bouncing back from a crushing loss to the Los Angeles Clippers.
Leading the Eastern Conference, the Celtics are now 36-11 on the year thanks to 28 points from Jayson Tatum, 22 from Jaylen Brown, and 20 from Jrue Holiday.