Coach Doc Rivers said he “can’t wait to get started” preparing for the 2024-25 season immediately after the Indiana Pacers upset his injury-riddled Milwaukee Bucks in the first round of the NBA playoffs.
Rivers said Lillard’s regular-season conditioning was impacted by his journey through free agency and lack of working out last off-season, playing into the Bucks’ struggles.
Lillard returned from his playoff hiatus for a game-high 28-point effort Thursday, but Rivers said he lacked his typical explosion and “took a while to get going.” He praised the Pacers for their pace, speed and toughness and said “fatigue was a factor” for the Bucks.
“Winning is incredibly hard,” Rivers said. “It takes 12 to 15 players turning themselves into one and buying in, your staff being together as one and then health. And then you still may not win. It’s just hard. You aren’t going to win unless you are healthy or unless you are really deep.”