In his first game at the helm for the Milwaukee Bucks, coach Doc Rivers observed a team brimming with potential that could fully realize its strengths with more time. However, the night belonged to Nikola Jokic, whose remarkable performance, including his season’s 14th triple-double, led the Denver Nuggets to a 113-107 victory over the Bucks during Monday’s NBA action.
Jokic’s stellar stats of 25 points, 16 rebounds, and 12 assists, along with Jamal Murray’s impressive 35 points, helped the Nuggets pull ahead late in the game. Rivers praised his new team’s coachability and expressed optimism about their future under his guidance.
“They’re great,” Rivers said. “They’re a very coachable team.”
The transition to Rivers’ coaching was notable, with Bucks forward Khris Middleton acknowledging the need for time to adapt to Rivers’ leadership.
“He did a great job commanding the team, leading the team,” Middleton said. “It’s going to take time for us to get used to him and him to see what we’ve been doing and how we’ve been successful so far this season and in the past.”
NBA NEWS & SCORES: Nikola Jokic, Denver Nuggets, Giannis Antetoktounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks Updates
Rivers, stepping in after Adrian Griffin’s mid-season departure, brought his extensive coaching experience, keenly engaging from the sidelines throughout the match.
Despite an early lead by Milwaukee, the game saw numerous shifts in momentum, with 12 ties and nine lead changes, illustrating the competitive nature of the encounter. Jokic relished the intense, pressure-filled game environment while the Nuggets celebrated coach Michael Malone’s 400th win with the team.
“I mean, that’s why I play — to play these kinds of games, to play under the pressure, to play tight games,” Jokic said. “I like to play under those circumstances.”
NBA NEWS & SCORES: Nikola Jokic, Denver Nuggets, Giannis Antetoktounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks Updates
Giannis Antetokounmpo’s performance stood out for the Bucks, scoring 29 points and grabbing 12 rebounds, even while battling illness. His participation was crucial, especially following Joel Embiid’s absence in Denver’s previous game due to injury.
Rivers emphasized the importance of blending his coaching style with the Bucks’ existing dynamics, aiming for seamless integration without causing overthinking among the players. He highlighted the team’s awareness of their capabilities and collective goals, particularly referencing the championship aspirations rooted in their recent history.
“They already know what the goal is,” Rivers said. “And they all know that the only way you reach that goal is it has to be ‘We’ — as a group.”
NBA NEWS & SCORES: Nikola Jokic, Denver Nuggets, Giannis Antetoktounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks Updates
Looking ahead, the Bucks are set to continue their road trip with a notable game against Damian Lillard’s former team, the Portland Trail Blazers. The Nuggets have an upcoming match against Oklahoma City.
