Bucks’ Four-Game Skid Imperils Play-In Bid; Rivers Rejects Retirement Rumor, Kuzma Addresses DNP
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The Milwaukee Bucks dropped their fourth consecutive game on Wednesday, falling to the Atlanta Hawks 123-105 at Fiserv Forum and recording the worst four-game point differential in franchise history at minus-97. Milwaukee led by 13 after the opening quarter but was outscored by 31 the rest of the night.
The loss further damaged the Bucks’ chances of extending their nine-year postseason streak. With 21 games left in the 2025-26 schedule, they trail Atlanta by five games and Charlotte by four and a half for the final Eastern Conference play-in spots.
“I feel like we have the answers,” said Giannis Antetokounmpo, who posted 24 points, five rebounds and four assists in his second outing since returning from a calf strain. “At the end of the day it’s about our spirit—are we going to wave the white flag, or come together for the last 21 games and make a push?”
Milwaukee’s current slide follows an 8-2 stretch, a turnaround veteran center Bobby Portis now questions. “Kind of fool’s gold, for real,” Portis said, noting many of those wins came against teams at the bottom of the standings. “Now we’re the team other clubs circle as a must-win.”
Rivers dismisses retirement speculation
ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith asserted on his radio program that head coach Doc Rivers intends to retire after the season, but the 64-year-old quickly shot down that claim. “I’m not getting into that,” Rivers told reporters after Friday’s practice. “That’s something he feels, not me.” Rivers is under contract through the 2026-27 campaign.
Kuzma responds to first career DNP-CD
Forward Kyle Kuzma did not play Monday, the first DNP-CD of his NBA career. Speaking publicly Friday, he said he was not notified beforehand. “Doc is the final arbiter,” Kuzma explained. “My job is to be a professional.” He added that he trusts the coaching staff to make decisions they believe will help the team win.
Source: Hoops Rumors
