The Milwaukee Bucks fell 129-126 to the Washington Wizards on Monday night at Capital One Arena, with CJ McCollum hitting a decisive three-pointer in the final 15 seconds. Doc Rivers, reflecting on the defeat, said, “I just didn’t think we played with the right…we played like we thought we’re going to win the game.”
Rivers criticized his team’s offensive execution, noting the shot disparity. “They had 18 more shots than us…just imagine saying you get the first 18 shots and then we’ll start the game,” he said, highlighting the Bucks’ inability to match Washington’s pace.
The Wizards surged in the third quarter, turning an early Milwaukee lead into a 16-point advantage. Rivers admitted the team failed to maintain focus after initially building momentum. “We got the lead by playing the right way…then it just went away,” he said.
Giannis Antetokounmpo led Milwaukee with 26 points, though Rivers noted some turnovers could have been avoided. “Giannis has seen everything…if the five turnovers is probably what he would like back,” he said. Kevin Porter Jr. contributed 30 points, shooting 12-for-15, but it wasn’t enough to overcome Washington’s balanced attack.
Rivers praised the Wizards’ youthful energy, singling out Bilal Coulibaly for his defensive impact. “He just plays hard, physical…long arms, athletic, strong,” Rivers said, highlighting Coulibaly’s late steal and dunk that sealed the victory.
Veteran leadership from Khris Middleton and McCollum also factored into Washington’s win. “They know how to play…try to keep a game close, then let the veterans take over,” Rivers explained, acknowledging their clutch performance in the fourth quarter.
Milwaukee out-rebounded Washington 41-35 and allowed 13 three-pointers, a key factor in the loss. Rivers noted his team’s struggle to capitalize on timeouts and execute consistently, saying, “I got to figure out a way of getting them to do it.”
The Bucks (9-13) will return home to face the Detroit Pistons on Wednesday, seeking to correct their lapses and regain consistency. The Wizards (3-16) head to Philadelphia on Tuesday, riding back-to-back wins against teams with struggling records.
Milwaukee’s defeat underscores the need for sharper focus and better ball movement, while Washington’s youth and veteran guidance proved a winning combination in a tightly contested matchup.
