Bucks’ coach Doc Rivers expressed his frustration over a controversial foul call against Giannis Antetokounmpo during a critical moment in the team’s narrow 115-114 defeat to the Charlotte Hornets on Saturday. With just 7.3 seconds remaining, the call against Antetokounmpo for a foul on LaMelo Ball sparked heated debate.
As the Hornets trailed by one point, Ball made a drive down the right side of the lane, seemingly slipping and falling without any apparent contact. Despite the lack of evidence from replays, the officials ruled a foul on Antetokounmpo. Ball capitalized on the opportunity, sinking both free throws to put Charlotte ahead.
In a dramatic finish, Antetokounmpo’s jumper at the buzzer failed to find the net, sealing the Hornets’ victory. Rivers commented on the situation, stating, “I thought the final play was the ref blowing a call. This is back-to-back games now where on the final play there has been an incorrect call made.”
The Bucks found themselves without a challenge remaining to contest the call. This incident mirrored a similar scenario from earlier in the week against the Detroit Pistons, where Antetokounmpo was also called for a questionable foul with just one second left, while the score was tied at 111.
Fortunately for the Bucks, Pistons forward Ron Holland II missed two crucial free throws, allowing the game to go into overtime, where Milwaukee triumphed 127-120, largely thanks to Antetokounmpo’s remarkable 59-point performance.
Rivers reiterated his stance on the recent calls, stating, “LaMelo Ball fell. He just fell down. Nobody was near him. He slipped on his own. We come up with the ball, and the game is over. So back-to-back games now we have had a call made against us that is incorrect. We were lucky in Detroit the kid missed two free throws. Tonight LaMelo Ball made the free throws.”
