In a thrilling Sunday afternoon matchup, the Boston Celtics accomplished a comeback victory against the struggling Milwaukee Bucks, winning 113-107. Jayson Tatum led the charge for the Celtics, finishing the game with 31 points, 12 rebounds, and six assists. The turning point came when Tatum made two crucial free throws with just under six minutes remaining, allowing Boston to take a lead they would not relinquish after overcoming a nine-point halftime deficit.
Giannis Antetokounmpo put forth a heroic effort for the Bucks, scoring a season-high 43 points along with 13 rebounds and five assists. However, despite Antetokounmpo’s impressive performance, Milwaukee has now suffered eight losses in their last nine games, struggling to find consistency on the court.
Payton Pritchard shone by contributing 18 points, while teammates Jrue Holiday and Derrick White each added 15 points. Notably, Jaylen Brown made his return to the lineup and scored 14 points after sitting out four games due to a hip injury.
The game started with Milwaukee gaining an early 16-2 lead and maintaining that momentum to hold a 69-58 advantage at halftime, marking their highest-scoring first half of the season. Yet, the Bucks faced a significant downturn, scoring only 15 points in the third quarter—their lowest of the season—which ultimately cost them the game.
A key moment occurred when the Celtics ignited a 12-0 run to start the third quarter, featuring an Al Horford three-pointer that shifted the game’s momentum back to Boston. There were multiple shifts in lead and ties during the second half, showcasing the intense back-and-forth nature of the contest.
As they look ahead, the Celtics will host the Atlanta Hawks on Tuesday, while the Bucks will face the Toronto Raptors on the same day.
This victory not only highlights the Celtics’ resilience but also poses a crucial moment for the team as they aim to build momentum moving forward in the season. For the struggling Bucks, there is still hope as they possess an incredible talent in Giannis and can rally back with adjustments in strategy and execution.