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MIAMI, FLORIDA - NOVEMBER 26: Milwaukee Bucks head coach Doc Rivers reacts against the Miami Heat during the second half at Kaseya Center on November 26, 2025 in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)
On Monday, March 3, the Milwaukee Bucks hosted the Boston Celtics. For the Cs, they were entering the game on the second night of a back-to-back set.
It was shaping up to be a big night for the Bucks. The game marked the first time since January 23 that Giannis Antetokounmpo was playing. The NBA superstar was cleared of a calf strain.
The night didn’t go as planned for Milwaukee. They suffered a 108-81 beatdown against the second-seeded Celtics. The Bucks’ head coach, Doc Rivers, is catching heat on Tuesday.
The criticism isn’t directly related to the loss. It’s more about Rivers’ decision to bench the veteran Kyle Kuzma. Rivers explained that it was a coach’s decision, and didn’t seem to expand on it further.
via Eric Nehm, The Athletic: Bucks coach Doc Rivers said Kyle Kuzma not playing tonight was a coach’s decision.
Eric Nehm
Bucks coach Doc Rivers said Kyle Kuzma not playing tonight was a coach’s decision.
NBA Fans Sound Off On Doc Rivers
Monday’s Kuzma decision hasn’t gone without criticism aimed at Rivers.
“Doc Rivers is the worst coach in the league,” one fan wrote on Reddit.
“As much as he’s memed Kuz def would’ve helped on the rebounding and D so a dnp is crazy. What we doing doc,” another added.
“Everyone prefers Dieng, but we went 11 deep yesterday, not playing Kuz means something is up,” and another one.
Milwaukee Bucks head coach Doc Rivers during an NBA gmae.
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It quickly became clear that Bucks fans are not supporting Doc Rivers’ strategy to bench Kuzma against the Celtics.
While Kuzma hasn’t received a ton of support as of late, most seem to think that the veteran forward deserves a steady role on the Bucks no matter what. He may no longer have that, with Rivers cutting his minutes to zero against Boston.
“Benched the most consistent dude the past few games, same guy who just dropped 30 on the Celtics with Brown playing, and instead prioritized cardio AJ and DNP’d-during-the-win-streak Gary Harris? Doc gotta be on the hot seat for this one,” a fan on X wrote.
“Can we decide to have Doc not coach the Bucks as a fans decision?” another angry fan added.
“I am 100% convinced Doc is being paid by Silver to drive Giannis out of town,” one fan theorized.
Doc Rivers is one of the most recognizable and respected coaches in the game, but that doesn’t mean he’s immune to criticism. In fact, the longtime head coach tends to land more heat than most. Being a veteran coach with a championship under his belt, Rivers has to carry a lot of pressure.
Since his title-winning days in Boston, Rivers hasn’t reached the championship level. The head coach had runs with the Los Angeles Clippers, Philadelphia 76ers, and now the Bucks.
When Rivers took over the Bucks, they were one of the best teams in the Eastern Conference. His arrival was strange, as Adrian Griffin was let go midway through his first season with the team.
Through his three-season tenure with the Bucks, Rivers is posting a 51% win percentage. This season, the Bucks are 26-34, and on pace to miss the playoffs.
With the underwhelming record, countless Giannis Antetokounmpo rumors, and now a Kuzma DNP one season after trading for him, fans are growing frustrated with the situation.