There were two unexpected locker room exits on Thursday night in the NBA. First, Anthony Edwards appeared to have rolled his ankle after an awkward collision with Nets coach Jordy Fernandez and was taken down the tunnel, only to return a few minutes later. The other exit came when Doc Rivers, the Milwaukee Bucks coach, was forced to run for the hills early in a contest against the Philadelphia 76ers.
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Giannis Antetokounmpo, ever the comedian, was quick to call out Rivers for ‘pulling a Paul Pierce‘ in reference to game one of the 2008 Finals, when the Celtics star was carried off the court, faking an injury that he later admitted was a case of indigestion and a bowel-related accident. Pierce would hit two crucial threes upon his return to clinch that game for Boston.
While the 2008 Finals MVP returned to the game after changing into a clean pair of shorts, Rivers spent the rest of the game off court. In fact, Doc Rivers did not check back into the game for the Bucks even for Friday night’s game. Darvin Ham had to take over head coaching duties, leading the Bucks to a win over the Sixers.
After the Sixers game, Giannis was asked about his head coach. He hilariously covered his nose, as if blocking a bad smell. Then he turned to someone in the locker room and asked, “Didn’t they say he had to use the restroom like Paul Pierce?” To cover his bases, Giannis did clarify that he was joking, but who knows?
na he wrong for this pic.twitter.com/ENAwZl6lQV
— DT (@GianniGoat) April 4, 2025
In Doc’s absence, Giannis played superb basketball en route to a 35-point, 20-assist, and 17-rebound performance in under 40 minutes of game time. It marked the first time this stat line has been recorded in NBA history.
Not that the Sixers were actively trying to tank. That was abundantly clear when Philly took a 39-25 lead after the first quarter. That’s when Giannis and a 15-0 Bucks run happened, closing the gap and allowing Milwaukee to win one without their coach.
Doc’s illness has still not been confirmed in any way. All we know is that it exists and is affecting Rivers. According to Giannis, however, Doc is just following his old player’s handbook and simply needed to use the bathroom.
If Giannis wasn’t kidding, the term “Paul Piercing it” will once again become the norm — especially at workplaces for bathroom breaks. If Giannis is wrong, well, he probably owes Doc a nice get-well-soon hamper — and an apology.
