Doc Rivers Makes Bold Statement After Magic-Bucks NBA Cup Game

Doc Rivers met with the media after Tuesday's game.

Jan 27, 2024; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Doc Rivers waves to fans at a Marquette University basketball game after speaking at a press conference where he was introduce as the new head coach of the Milwaukee Bucks at the Fiserv Forum. Rivers played his collegiate career at Marquette. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-Imagn Images / Benny Sieu-Imagn Images

On Tuesday evening, the Milwaukee Bucks hosted the Orlando Magic in Wisconsin.

The Bucks won the close game by a score of 114-109 to advance to Las Vegas in the NBA Cup.

After the game, head coach Doc Rivers made a bold statement about the NBA Cup when he met with the media.

Rivers: "It's huge for us. This is what we wanted to do. You set a goal and you try to reach them. Our goal is not just to get to Vegas, we want to win this thing."

"We want to win this thing."

Doc and the @Bucks have their sights set on the #EmiratesNBACup Championship 🏆 pic.twitter.com/mDWzO3ulna

— NBA (@NBA) December 11, 2024

The Bucks are the only team in the NBA to reach Las Vegas in both seasons.

Following a slow start to this season, they have completely turned things around in a significant way.

Nine points in the final minute.

That's Dame Time. ⌚️ x /// pic.twitter.com/6x3KiyqWGH

— Milwaukee Bucks (@Bucks) December 11, 2024

After defeating the Magic, the Bucks are now 13-11 in their first 24 games, which has them as the sixth seed in the Eastern Conference.

They have gone 8-2 over their last ten games (and won two straight).

In addition, the Bucks are just 2.0 games back of the New York Knicks for the second seed.

11-3 in our last 14 games. pic.twitter.com/d7Gcd1xQqu

— Milwaukee Bucks (@Bucks) December 11, 2024

Rivers is in his second year at the helm after joining the team during the middle of the 2023-24 season.

They dealt with injuries, which led to them losing to the Indiana Pacers in the first round of the NBA playoffs (in six games).

Oct 28, 2024; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Milwaukee Bucks head coach Doc Rivers talks to Milwaukee Bucks guard Damian Lillard (0) during the first half against the Boston Celtics at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Paul Rutherford-Imagn Images / Paul Rutherford-Imagn Images

The Bucks (in Las Vegas) will face off against the winner of Wednesday's matchup between the New York Knicks and Atlanta Hawks at Madison Square Garden.