Bucks' Doc Rivers Faces Backlash After Playoff Elimination

The Milwaukee Bucks' elimination from the playoffs after a dramatic overtime loss to the Indiana Pacers has sparked significant criticism of head coach Doc Rivers. Despite finally implementing a new lineup that had previously led to an eight-game win streak, Rivers made the adjustment too late in the series, with the Bucks losing Game 5 after surrendering a seven-point lead in the final 40 seconds. Rivers' late-game decisions, including timeouts that led to turnovers, were widely scrutinized, with analysts and fans attributing the collapse to his coaching. However, some, like former NBA player Kendrick Perkins, defended Rivers by blaming player execution for the costly mistakes. The loss adds to Rivers' reputation for playoff struggles, fueling debate about his effectiveness as a head coach. The incident highlights the broader scrutiny faced by experienced coaches in a league trending toward younger leadership.