The Milwaukee Bucks came into Wednesday’s matchup with the Miami Heat on a five-game losing streak, including three straight games without two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo, sidelined with a left adductor strain. Following Monday’s loss to the Portland Trail Blazers, head coach Doc Rivers acknowledged the team faces a Giannis-sized challenge, as opponents have been able to defend them much more easily in his absence.
As the Bucks’ head coach appeared to accept that the team will face struggles until Giannis returns, former NBA player Rashad McCants criticized Rivers, calling him the core issue in Milwaukee.
"Doc Rivers getting paid all this f***ing money to watch these kids play free for fall and then not take the blame for sh*t!"@SoundbiteKing and the crew think Doc Rivers is the problem with the Bucks. pic.twitter.com/roafUfzuqz
— Gil’s Arena (@GilsArenaShow) November 26, 2025
“Doc Rivers is getting paid all these fu—n’ money to fu—n’ come in here and just watch these kids play free fall and not take the blame for s—t and just say, ‘We don’t have our best player.’ Yeah, we f—n’ know that. But you signed two of his brothers when you could’ve signed motherf—s that could help you in free agency, and you didn’t. You mad cuz Khris Middleton’s not there, you lose fu—n’ Brook Lopez, and you said nothing about Myles Turner, you said nothing about Kyle Kuzma. Like, what’s the problem? It’s the fu—n’ coach,” McCants remarked in his appearance at Gil’s arena.
Doc Rivers and the Bucks without Giannis Antetokounmpo
Mar 28, 2024; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; Milwaukee Bucks bench looks on against the New Orleans Pelicans during the second half at Smoothie King Center. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports
Antetokounmpo began the season on fire, posting career highs with 31.2 points and 6.8 assists per game, along with 10.8 rebounds and 1.2 blocks. The Bucks started 4-2 but have since fallen to 4-9, failing to win a game without Giannis.
Without Giannis Antetokounmpo, the Bucks’ offense has faltered, ranking 27th in the league over their last three games and losing each one. Wednesday in Miami, they scored only 103 points for the second straight game, dropping their fourth consecutive matchup without their superstar and sixth overall.
Nov 7, 2025; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Bucks head coach Doc Rivers reacts in the 4th quarter against the Chicago Bulls at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-Imagn Images
“What happens when your star player goes down? Who has to make better decisions? The coach. It’s up to the coach to win the game. Now, you have to strategize, scheme, and out-think the other side with what you have. You have less, much less. You said 95 to 90 percent of the offense and winning is dictated on Giannis, and he not there? OK, coach. What are we gonna do now?” said McCants.
McCants’ critique of Rivers gained weight during Wednesday night’s loss to the Heat. Trailing by three in the final seconds, Rivers chose not to call a timeout, letting Ryan Rollins improvise. Rollins swung the ball to Myles Turner on the wing, but Turner’s contested three-pointer clanged off the rim.