Calls Mount for Bucks to Fire Doc Rivers After Game 5 Loss to Pacers

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Nick Meyer | Last updated Apr 29, 2025 9:28 PM ET

The Milwaukee Bucks bowed out of the 2025 NBA Playoffs on Tuesday night after a 119-118 loss at the hands of the Indiana Pacers.

Following the game, Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo's tussle with Bucks players and argument with Tyrese Haliburton's father John took became a hot topic as the dust settled on Milwaukee's season-ending loss.

The loss also caused Bucks fans to react on social media, sharing their emotionally charged thoughts on head coach Doc Rivers who joined the Bucks prior to the 2023-2024 NBA season and appears to have worn out his welcome among large segments of Milwaukee fans.

Fans called the Bucks' loss an "all-time choke job" as Rivers was roundly criticized on X.

"Coaching in the NBA is just politics when a guy like Doc Rivers still has a coaching job," one fan said.

"Doc Rivers at the scene of the crime again," another fan wrote in a re-post of a highlight of Tyrese Haliburton driving through the Bucks' lax defense.

Doc Rivers at the scene of the crime again https://t.co/4vdVRxyZVy
— Nets in 9 (@ChanceOSadness) April 30, 2025

"As a Sixers fan I can tell you without a doubt Doc Rivers is a TERRIBLE coach," another fan said.

Another criticized Rivers for his positioning of Kevin Porter Jr. during Haliburton's game-winning drive, wondering why he was playing off the ball.

why is Kevin Porter Jr the one playing help defense doc rivers gotta be the worst to ever do it pic.twitter.com/FbtKjatLyB
— RocketPlays (@therocketplays) April 30, 2025

Criticisms poured in one after the other on Tuesday night as the Pacers advanced to the second round.

Now, Rivers must repair his damaged public image as the Bucks begin to lick their wounds from another disappointing playoff finish.

FIRE DOC RIVERS FIRE DOC RIVERS FIRE DOC RIVERS FIRE DOC RIVERS FIRE DOC RIVERS FIRE DOC RIVERS FIRE DOC RIVERS FIRE DOC RIVERS FIRE DOC RIVERS FIRE DOC RIVERS FIRE DOC RIVERS FIRE DOC RIVERS FIRE DOC RIVERS FIRE DOC RIVERS FIRE DOC RIVERS FIRE DOC RIVERS FIRE DOC RIVERS
— crimsons (@crimsonsredd) April 30, 2025

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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