Liddell's career night fuels nets' upset over bucks amidst rivers' uncertainty
Brooklyn’s E.J. Liddell erupted for a career-high 21 points Tuesday night, spearheading a surprising 96-90 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks. The win, coupled with Monday’s triumph over Washington, marks a two-game winning streak for the Nets (20-59), a glimmer of hope in what’s been a challenging season.
Rivers' future hangs in the balance
The narrative surrounding this game extended far beyond the box score. Five years after a heart-stopping Game 7 loss to the Nets on their way to a championship, both teams find themselves well out of playoff contention. Adding to the drama, Milwaukee coach Doc Rivers hinted at a potential departure, leaving the future of the storied franchise shrouded in uncertainty. The air in Fiserv Forum felt thick with unspoken questions about what comes next for Rivers and, perhaps, for the Bucks themselves.
Liddell’s performance was the story of the night, a stark contrast to a first half where he carried the scoring load for Brooklyn. While the Nets only led by seven at the break (49-43), his 17 first-half points were a necessary bulwark against a sluggish offensive start. Ben Saraf contributed 19 points, and Drake Powell and Malachi Smith each added 11, but it was Liddell’s explosive scoring that ultimately proved decisive.
The game ebbed and flowed, a tense back-and-forth affair throughout the third quarter. Brooklyn managed to build a comfortable 11-point lead early in the fourth, fueled by impressive sequences from Saraf – a one-legged fadeaway followed by a breakaway dunk. But Milwaukee, led by AJ Green's 20 points and Taurean Prince’s 16, refused to surrender. Prince’s clutch three-pointer with 2:28 remaining narrowed the gap to a single possession, but the Nets held firm, closing out the game with a mix of clutch free throws and timely defensive stops.
The Bucks’ offensive struggles, coupled with Rivers’ looming departure, paint a picture of a team in transition. While Prince, Ryan (14 points), and Sims (12 points) offered support, the overall performance lacked the consistency that defined Milwaukee’s championship run. The Nets, meanwhile, demonstrated a resilience that belies their record.
The Nets conclude their home schedule Thursday against Indiana, a final opportunity to showcase their progress. For the Bucks, a visit to Detroit Wednesday offers a chance to regroup – and, potentially, for Rivers to manage his final game at the helm.