Bucks Stumble Against Hornets Amid Controversial Officiating
The Milwaukee Bucks endured a narrow 115-114 defeat at the hands of the Charlotte Hornets, marred by contentious officiating that has left head coach Doc Rivers vocally critical, ultimately resulting in a $25,000 fine levied against him for public criticism.
Doc Rivers did not mince words following the loss, voicing his frustration in no uncertain terms. "I thought the final play was the ref blowing the call. This is back-to-back games now where on the final play there's been an incorrect call made. LaMelo Ball fell. He just fell down. Nobody was near him, slipped on his own, we come up with the ball and the game's over," he stated. Rivers’ exasperation stems from a series of recent officiating errors that he feels have unjustly impacted the Bucks' outcomes.
The game’s decisive moment came in its final seconds, with the Bucks unable to challenge a controversial foul call on Giannis Antetokounmpo after having exhausted their challenges earlier in the matchup. This allowed LaMelo Ball to step up to the free-throw line, converting both attempts and sealing the victory for Charlotte. "Back-to-back games now, we've had a call made against us that was incorrect. We were lucky versus Detroit when the kid missed two free throws. Tonight, LaMelo Ball made the free throws. And there was clearly not a foul," lamented Rivers, emphasizing the consequential nature of officiating errors.
Such frustrations were amplified by the game's free-throw disparity, notable as the Hornets enjoyed 21 attempts from the line compared to the Bucks' 11, despite Giannis Antetokounmpo’s dominant presence. "The free throws tonight were 21 to 11 in their favor in a game that Giannis played. Giannis took one free throw. Go back three plays when Giannis dunked. The whole team fouled him. The whole team fouled him, and it's a no-call," Rivers asserted, questioning the consistency of the refereeing.
The Bucks were also operating without the services of Damian Lillard, sidelined with a concussion, and Khris Middleton, absent due to persistent ankle issues. Their absences were keenly felt, particularly as the squad looked to solidify their standing in a tightly contested Eastern Conference.
Giannis Antetokounmpo, resilient as ever, was tasked with taking a game-winning step-back jumper at the buzzer, only for the shot to fall short, underscoring the game’s tense and tumultuous conclusion.
Adding salt to the wound, NBA official Curtis Blair later admitted the error of the foul call against Antetokounmpo, confessing that postgame reviews indicated "there was no illegal contact on the play." Such an admission, though offering some validation, came too late to alter the night’s outcome.
With a 4-9 record, the Bucks currently reside in 12th place within the Eastern Conference. As they strive to navigate recent adversities and improve their performance, the team is focused on overcoming these controversial outcomes and forging a path back to their winning ways.
Despite the setbacks, the Bucks remain resolute, their spirit encapsulated by Rivers’ concluding thoughts: "You can't guess at the end of a game. Both teams have played too hard. You can't guess."