Doc Rivers Put on Hot Seat by NBA Fans as Giannis, Bucks Get Crushed by Towns, Knicks

Zach BacharContributor INovember 9, 2024

Wes Hale/Getty Images

The Milwaukee Bucks suffered a lopsided defeat at the hands of the New York Knicks on Friday night, falling by the final score of 116-94.

Milwaukee has continued to struggle to start its first full season under head coach Doc Rivers, sitting at 2-7 following the loss to New York.

The Knicks jumped out to an early 17-6 lead and didn’t look back, maintaining a 66-47 advantage entering halftime. New York extended its lead in the second half, sealing the victory.

Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 24 points and pulled down 12 rebounds, shooting 11-21 from the field. Damian Lillard struggled with his jumper, hitting just six of his 15 attempts.

Milwaukee Bucks @BucksGiannis oop. Giannis coast-to-coast. pic.twitter.com/G6rhNQxtgU

Outside of Lillard and Antetokounmpo, no other member of Milwaukee’s lineup scored more than 10 points.

Fans questioned Rivers’ job security after the defeat.

Trey Crosby III Guru @TCIIIESQThe fact Doc Rivers just continues to let this go on is insane….

Jason Smith @howaboutafrescaI said a week ago Doc Rivers might not make it to Christmas as Bucks HC. Now he really may not make it to Thanksgiving.

Matt Langone @MattLangoneDoc Rivers has been an absolute disaster with the Bucks. At what point will NBA teams realize that the dude just isn’t a good coach!?

Stefan Bondy @SbondyNBAI’m still dumbfounded about Doc Rivers’ decision to defend Karl Anthony Towns with Brook Lopez, who is the prototype center for drop coverage. I’m not gonna let this go.

scoob @MostCrucifieddoc rivers is the problem hes gotta go

Bleek @4_GROUNDDoc Rivers broke The Bucks

BeatinTheBookie.com®️ @BeatinTheBookieSerious question, how does @DocRivers have a job still with that roster?

For the Knicks, Karl-Anthony Towns recorded his seventh consecutive double-double. He grabbed 11 rebounds to go along with his 32 points, scoring 27 in the first half alone. Towns shot 12-20 from the field, connecting on four three-pointers.

Bleacher Report @BleacherReportKAT at the half vs BUCKS 🥶

27 PTS | 4 3PM | 7 REB

Knicks up BIG, 66-47 pic.twitter.com/Er9WWzFlGD

Since Rivers was hired in the middle of the 2023-24 season, he owns a 19-26 record with Milwaukee.