Milwaukee Bucks head coach Doc Rivers pointed to the team’s depth following Sunday’s 115-98 road win over the Sacramento Kings at Golden 1 Center.
“That is the most minutes for Giannis since he’s come back. 31. It was a minute over. Okay. So, we just made the call to leave them in because I thought we could put the game away. So, and we did that,” remarked the Bucks head coach.
Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo poured in 37 points and grabbed 11 rebounds across 31 minutes, while Rivers praised the Bucks’ bench for giving the starters extended rest.
Doc Rivers gives the Bucks bench their flowers
Oct 14, 2025; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; The Milwaukee Bucks bench celebrates a three point shot against the Oklahoma City Thunder during the first half at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Patrick Gorski-Imagn Images
“I thought our non-Giannis minutes in the first half were phenomenal and I thought that actually opened the game for us cuz it allowed us to sit Giannis a little longer. That was key.”
The Bucks jumped out to a commanding 62-42 lead by halftime. Sacramento trimmed the gap to five in the third quarter, but Milwaukee answered with an 18-5 spurt, putting the game out of reach well before garbage time.
Rivers also highlighted the progress of the team’s younger guards, noting their growing impact on both ends of the court.
Dec 3, 2025; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Bucks guard Kevin Porter Jr. (7) starts to celebrate a Milwaukee Bucks win over the Detroit Pistons 113-109 at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Michael McLoone-Imagn Images
“Back to Scoot [Kevin Porter Jr.], there were four possessions where someone else just let them bring it up. He’s learning. He even said, ‘Man, I’m not used to doing that.’ I said, ‘Get used to it because we want the ball in your hands. Pressure doesn’t bother him.’”
Kevin Porter Jr. added 25 points and dished out 10 assists, playing a key role in the Bucks’ win.
The win moved Doc Rivers and the Bucks to 16-20 and sank Sacramento to 8-28, stretching the Kings’ losing streak to five straight games. Myles Turner scored 15 points and dominated the paint, while the Bucks sank 27 of 30 free throws and held Sacramento to 43 percent from the field.