Doc Rivers and the Milwaukee Bucks’ loss to the Golden State Warriors on Wednesday night was not only about shooting runs and changing momentum, but also about mounting frustration with the officiating, particularly during a physical exchange between Giannis Antetokounmpo and Draymond Green.
After the game, Bucks head coach Doc Rivers spoke about the sequence and the general approach to officiating, making it clear he was stunned that officials never took a second look at the play.
After the game, I asked Doc Rivers about what he thought about his team's ability to keep their composure in the face of calls that didn't go their way and he used it as an opportunity to discuss this sequence: https://t.co/zVXesXsSNy pic.twitter.com/hnZricRg5z
— Eric Nehm (@eric_nehm) January 8, 2026
“I thought, in the first half, we didn’t do a good job of it. But listen, I also thought veteran teams like this get away with things. How you don’t look at the flagrant foul is ridiculous, right? And listen, I’m a big Draymond Green fan before I say that. And the reason I am is because he’s such an instigator, all right? But they called a tech in the first half on Scoot (Porter)? After Draymond Green’s waving his hands at refs, yelling at refs? But then they call a tech on Scoot?…Clear flagrant foul. It was impact. They didn’t even look. They didn’t even look,” the Bucks head coach remarked via The Athletic’s Eric Nehm.
Draymond Green being his usual self against Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Bucks
Dec 13, 2022; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green (23) points out a fan in the stands to a referee during the third quarter against the Milwaukee Bucks at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports (NBA News)
In the middle of the second quarter, Green and Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo collided during an increasingly physical stretch. Officials called Antetokounmpo for a foul after he initiated contact with Green well beyond the three-point line.
Later in the quarter, Green caught Antetokounmpo in the face with a hard elbow on a layup attempt, knocking him to the baseline. Officials ruled it a common foul and did not review the play for a flagrant.
“And then they, all three, come out at halftime and said, ‘Man, we blew that. That was a flagrant. We should have looked.’ My only question, ‘Well, what were you looking at? I mean, you called a foul, so you saw something.’ It’s really frustrating there. So, what I’m saying is, in our defense, they say that, that’s frustrating. And then Scoot’s saying, ‘I barely say anything to the ref and I got a tech.’ I’m hearing this guy cuss at ’em and nothing. So that’s frustrating,” Rivers continued.
Apr 10, 2025; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) reacts in the second quarter against the New Orleans Pelicans at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-Imagn Images
That sequence carried immediate consequences. An emotional Antetokounmpo drew a delay-of-game warning and then picked up his third foul as Jimmy Butler III drove to the basket. With Giannis forced to the bench, Golden State seized the moment with an 11-0 run that stretched a close contest into a double-digit lead by halftime.
The Warriors leaned on elite perimeter shooting, knocking down 18 three-pointers on the way to a 120-113 win, even as Antetokounmpo poured in 34 points and grabbed 10 rebounds in just 31 minutes.