‘Ridiculously bad:’ Bucks coach not thrilled about coaching All-Star Game

If you’re of the belief that Doc Rivers shouldn’t be coaching the Eastern Conference in the 2024 NBA All-Star Game, you’re not alone. In fact, the Milwaukee Bucks coach is of that same belief.

“It’s ridiculously bad. It really is,” Rivers told reporters after Milwaukee’s 129-117 win over the Dallas Mavericks on Saturday.

Rivers was hired by the Bucks last month after they fired Adrian Griffin despite being 30-13 at the time. The 62-year-old Rivers secured his first win since being hired against the Mavs, which gave the Bucks the second-best record in the East. And because Boston Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla is ineligible due to coaching the annual event last year, the honor goes to Rivers.

“Well, Adrian’s going to get some money, that’s for sure. And a ring,” Rivers told reporters. “It’s one of these quirky things. I think there should be a rule somehow that someone else does it other than me. Maybe I’ll send my staff, and I’ll go on vacation.

“I’m going to run that by Adam Silver,” Rivers said. “I think Adam’s a good man. I think he’ll understand.”

Rivers last coached the All-Star Game in 2021. He also earned the honor in 2008 and 2011.

This isn’t the first time a coach that was named in-season has made his way to the All-Star Game. It last happened during the 2015-16 season when Tyronn Lue took over as the Cleveland Cavaliers after they parted ways with David Blatt.

Is Milwaukee Bucks Star Damian Lillard Playing Tonight Vs. Utah Jazz?

The Milwaukee Bucks will be looking to make it two wins in a row on Sunday night when they battle the Utah Jazz at the Delta Center. The Bucks are coming off an impressive 129-117 victory over Luka Doncic and the Dallas Mavericks on Saturday, and they will be looking to build on the momentum of that win when they return to action on Sunday night.

Unfortunately for the Bucks, they might need to do so without the services of superstar point guard Damian Lillard, who is currently listed on the injury report ahead of the game. The question now is this: Is Damian Lillard playing tonight vs. the Jazz?

Milwaukee Bucks Star Damian Lillard Questionable Vs. Jazz

According to the official injury report, Dame is questionable to play due to a left ankle sprain.

Lillard looked fine on Saturday against the Mavs, finishing with 30 points, three rebounds, and eight assists in 38 minutes of action. However, the fact that Milwaukee is playing on a second night of a back-to-back set means that the 33-year-old is now in real danger of being forced to watch from the sidelines on Sunday.

It is worth noting that Giannis Antetokounmpo is on the injury report as well, although he has a bigger chance of playing after being listed as probable to play.

Doc Rivers Weighs In

Bucks head coach Doc Rivers spoke to reporters an hour or so prior to tip-off, and he hinted that both Giannis and Lillard could be available against the Jazz:

“We’re going to err on the more conservative side, for sure,” Rivers said, via Eric Nehm of The Athletic. “… I think they will (play), but I don’t want to tell you that and then they don’t.”

Despite the optimism from Rivers, there is still a real chance that Lillard, in particular, is forced to sit this one out. So, with regard to the question of Is Damian Lillard playing tonight vs. the Jazz, the answer is that he might not.