It’s no secret that there’s a growing sentiment against the officiating in the NBA of late. This issue has persisted for years. But lately, it seems to have gotten worse. The fact that the league has strong countermeasures to discourage criticism directed at the officials doesn’t help in holding them accountable. But despite that, Doc Rivers regrets not having done it tonight.

It all unfolded during the Bucks vs. Nuggets game tonight. Even though the Milwaukee Bucks were without some of their key players like Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bobby Portis Jr, they still gave Nikola Jokic and the Denver Nuggets a run for their money. But they weren’t able to get the W despite their valiant performance. And head coach Doc Rivers was not a fan of shoddy officiating turning the tides against his team. And more importantly, he regrets not doing something about it during the game.

“It’s really frustrating when you play that hard… I mean, it was three minutes left in the game, but it’s a, it’s a six point game… We’re at least gonna get a layup or three, and the way we were shooting the ball, it’s probably gonna be a three-point game. Instead, it goes to a nine, a nine-point game. And so, the game in a lot of ways is over,” said Doc.

He then agreed with a media member, adding, “You are right that it was an absolute foul, and you’re right, it was a game-changing call. Game-changing no-call. I wish I had said that. I’m glad you said it.”

Doc is referring to the excessive contact on AJ Green during a transition with just a few minutes left in the game. The Bucks getting this call would’ve put the Denver Nuggets in a serious bind. However, the officials missing it meant the Bucks also missed the opportunity to turn the game on its head. So Doc’s not wrong to lament not calling out the refs during the game.

And we can understand why he feels this way. Tonight was not an isolated incident. Shoddy officiating also cost the Bucks dearly against the Phoenix Suns. And Doc Rivers was very vocal following that game as well. Here’s what he said.

Officiating in the Suns vs. Bucks game also added to Doc Rivers’ frustrations before tonight’s game

It was more or less the same story for the Bucks against the Phoenix Suns. Kevin Durant might have put 38 past them, but the Bucks could’ve easily turned the game in their favor if a few calls had gone their way. At least that’s what Doc Rivers took away from the game.

The Suns ended up winning the game by two points, though. And Doc Rivers made it clear to the media post-game that the officiating during the game ticked him off.

“The biggest play of the game was – that was a 3-point play. And how that wasn’t is beyond my imagination. That’s a six-point swing. I had to burn two timeouts on calls that you [the referee] should have made and now I’m left with one timeout for the game…So I burned two timeouts being right, and I don’t think that was what the rules were made [for],” said Coach Rivers.

Doc seems jaded with the officials’ ineptitude costing his team. And this happening in back-to-back games must be doubly frustrating for the Bucks HC. Milwaukee is the 6th seed in the East right now. And if non-calls like these keep costing them, they might find themselves in the Play-In, battling for a postseason run.

We’re sure that’s not something Doc Rivers wants. Or the team, for that matter, and the thousands of fans. After all, he’s got a former league MVP on the roster in Giannis Antetokounmpo. And the last thing he will want to do is waste his prime. But if it comes down to the official making a mistake or missing a call, then it’s not really in Doc’s power to do anything, is it?

But what do you think? Is Doc Rivers right to criticize the refs? Or should he never let a game get close enough to let the referees decide it in the first place? Let us know!