Phoenix Suns coach Mike Budenholzer met with the media before Monday’s game against the Milwaukee Bucks — his first matchup against his former team since his dismissal in 2023. Notably, reporters from Milwaukee were reportedly not allowed to ask him any questions. Jim Owczarski of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel revealed the situation on Bluesky, stating, “Phoenix PR didn’t allow us to ask Mike Budenholzer any pregame questions,” Owczarski said. “But their sideline reporter did.” He also shared a video of Budenholzer briefly responding to a query from Phoenix’s sideline reporter, Amanda Pflugrad.
Phoenix PR didn’t allow us to ask Mike Budenholzer any pregame questions.
But their sideline reporter did.
— Jim Owczarski (@jimowczarski.bsky.social) March 24, 2025 at 8:29 PM
Afterward, Owczarski elaborated on the incident, saying, “Yup. Raised my hand twice, was looked at, ignored. Looked at the main PR person and they shook their head no, it’s over,” Owczarski said. He also noted that “Budenholzer also was not available after a Suns practice on Sunday, either.”
Yup. Raised my hand twice, was looked at, ignored. Looked at the main PR person and they shook their head no, it’s over.
— Jim Owczarski (@jimowczarski.bsky.social) March 24, 2025 at 8:40 PM
Budenholzer also was not available after a Suns practice on Sunday, either. CC: @howardbeck.bsky.social
— Jim Owczarski (@jimowczarski.bsky.social) March 24, 2025 at 8:49 PM
Budenholzer coached the Bucks for five seasons, from 2018-19 through 2022-23, leading them to their second NBA championship in 2021 by defeating the Suns in six games. After returning to the playoffs in 2022, the Bucks fell in the second round to the Boston Celtics. In 2023, they secured the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference but were upset by the Miami Heat in the first round. Compounding the situation, Budenholzer faced personal tragedy when his brother was killed in a car accident prior to Game 4. The Bucks’ struggles also included a significant injury to Giannis Antetokounmpo. Following the disappointing playoff exit, Budenholzer was let go from his position.
