A Setback in Milwaukee: Breaking Down Celtics Loss to the Bucks
The Boston Celtics had their five-game winning streak snapped Thursday night, falling 116–101 to the Milwaukee Bucks in a matchup defined by shooting inconsistency. Even without Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee leaned on its supporting cast, led by Kyle Kuzma’s 31 points on 13-of-17 shooting and Bobby Portis’ 27-point outburst. Kevin Porter Jr. dictated the pace from start to finish, recording an 18-point triple-double that exposed Boston’s defensive miscommunications. Jaylen Brown once again anchored the Celtics offensively, finishing with 30 points and extending his strong scoring stretch. Jordan Walsh Jordan Walsh added one of the most impressive performances of his career, but Boston could not keep up with Milwaukee’s balanced attack.
Walsh Shines as Celtics Build Early Momentum
Boston opened the game with urgency, jumping out to a 21–8 lead sparked by active defense and efficient transition play. Walsh set the tone early with deflections, steals, and confident scoring around the rim. Brown delivered a flawless first quarter, going five-for-five and providing stability as Milwaukee began to respond. Walsh capped off a standout first half by scoring 18 points on a perfect seven-for-seven shooting, becoming just the second player this season to reach that mark without missing. Despite the strong start from their young wing and solid early pace, the Celtics ended the half with inconsistent execution that kept Milwaukee within striking distance.
Third-Quarter Collapse Flips Momentum
The third quarter completely shifted the game’s trajectory, and Boston never recovered from the offensive drought that followed. The Celtics missed 18 of 22 shot attempts in the period, including an 0-for-12 stretch from beyond the arc that immediately opened the door for Milwaukee. Portis took full advantage, scoring nine points in under 90 seconds and igniting the Bucks’ turnaround. Defensive breakdowns compounded the problem as Milwaukee’s role players found rhythm in Antetokounmpo’s absence. By the end of the quarter, Boston trailed 87–80 and struggled to regain momentum on either end of the floor.
Brown Breaks the Drought, but Help Never Arrives
Boston’s long-range struggles finally ended in the fourth quarter when Brown knocked down a three with just over seven minutes remaining, pushing him past the 30-point mark once again. However, the Celtics could not generate consistent scoring from anyone beyond Brown and Walsh. Boston finished the night shooting 38 percent overall and just 28 percent from three, undone by a brutal stretch of 16 consecutive missed attempts from deep. The cold shooting erased any chance of a late-game push despite several strong individual efforts. With the loss, Boston now turns its attention to Monday’s matchup against the first-place Detroit Pistons, a timely opportunity to regroup and reclaim its offensive identity.
