The clock is ticking for Doc Rivers. The Milwaukee Bucks were supposed to reclaim their dominance after a rough Game 1, but instead, they stumbled into another disaster. Indiana didn’t just win Game 2 — they controlled it from start to finish, and the pressure now lands squarely on Rivers’ shoulders. As the Bucks head into Game 3, what’s next for their playoff hopes?
All the ingredients were there for the Bucks to make their mark in Game 2. Giannis Antetokounmpo was dominant, putting up 34 points, 18 rebounds, and 7 assists. Damian Lillard was back after his health scare, looking to make an impact in his first postseason game with Giannis by his side. But despite the star power, something went wrong.
Indiana blitzed Milwaukee from the tip, racing to a 31-16 lead in just seven minutes. The Bucks never fully recovered, even though Bobby Portis Jr. gave a valiant 28-point effort off the bench. The Pacers shot 59.1% in the first quarter, and Milwaukee had no answers. By the time the Bucks mounted a late push, it was too little, too late.
Postgame, Rivers was asked about his strategy moving forward and whether adjustments were on the horizon. His response didn’t exactly inspire confidence, but it sure did leave plenty of room for intrigue: “We’ll just see,” Rivers said. “We have time. We have 48 hours. I’m not going to tell you what I’m doing right now because I don’t know, you know. But we’ll figure it out. I’m very confident about this series. Very.”
Doc Rivers isn’t worried
“I’m very confident about this series. Very.”
( @NBATV )
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) April 23, 2025
Doc Rivers isn’t worried
“I’m very confident about this series. Very.”
( @NBATV )
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) April 23, 2025
The Bucks may be staring down the barrel of an 0-2 hole, but if there’s one thing Doc Rivers isn’t ready to do, it’s wave the white flag. He’s coaching a core that’s been through the fire before — Giannis Antetokounmpo, Brook Lopez, Bobby Portis — these aren’t guys new to adversity. Just three years ago, this same group clawed their way back from a 2-0 deficit in the NBA Finals against Phoenix and flipped the script en route to hoisting the Larry O’Brien trophy.
But that comeback was built on the back of a healthy, dominant Giannis. Now, Rivers faces a much steeper uphill battle. Indiana isn’t just hot — they’re hungry. They’re playing with pace, confidence, and a chip on their shoulder. Tyrese Haliburton is orchestrating, Pascal Siakam is bringing two-way intensity, and Rick Carlisle has them playing with purpose.
For Milwaukee, this isn’t just about rallying — it’s about retooling. The Bucks have to make serious tactical adjustments: slowing Indiana’s transition game, containing Haliburton’s drive-and-kick action, and generating consistent offense even if Lillard remains limited.
If Rivers is going to channel the spirit of 2021, it starts with Game 3 — because falling behind 0-3 isn’t a challenge, it’s a near-certainty of elimination.
Rivers gonna make any adjustments?
For the second straight game, the Bucks fell behind early, and this time, it was nearly impossible to recover. After a disastrous first quarter, where Indiana shot an absurd 59.1%, the Bucks were left chasing the Pacers for the entire game. And Rivers was well aware of it.
When asked about the team’s slow starts, Rivers didn’t sugarcoat it. “We’ve gotten off to two poor starts. We gotta make an adjustment there for sure.”
And that’s the big issue. If the Bucks can’t fix this problem, all the star power in the world — from Giannis to Lillard to Portis — won’t make a difference. They simply cannot afford another first-quarter collapse. The question now is, will Rivers be able to make the adjustments needed to shift the momentum in Game 3?
Mar 16, 2025; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Bucks head coach Doc Rivers looks on in the third quarter against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-Imagn Images
The numbers and the eye test both scream the same thing: the Bucks are consistently getting punched in the mouth to start games, and by the time they regain their footing, Indiana’s rhythm is too difficult to disrupt.
That early 11-of-14 stretch from the Pacers wasn’t just hot shooting — it was surgical. Rick Carlisle is scheming specifically to exploit Milwaukee’s slow-footed defenders, and right now, Taurean Prince and Brook Lopez are getting hunted both in transition and in the half court. Lopez’s value as a drop defender and floor spacer hasn’t materialized in this series, especially with Indiana relentlessly pushing the pace. Prince, meanwhile, has been invisible offensively and a clear defensive liability.
The KPJ-AJ Green combo has been one of the few bright spots for the Bucks — they’ve brought energy, shot-making, and some defensive feistiness when everything else looked flat. If Milwaukee wants to flip this series, Rivers may have no choice but to abandon his traditional lineup and lean into what’s actually working.
It’s desperation time. And for Doc Rivers, this is the ultimate litmus test: does he have the courage to pivot from loyalty to logic? Because if not, Indiana’s going to keep cooking those same mismatches and send Milwaukee home early.
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