What Prompted the Celtics Head Coach to Pull Starters Early in Milwaukee?
The Boston Celtics saw their five-game winning streak come to an abrupt and frustrating end Thursday night, falling 116–101 to the Milwaukee Bucks in a loss that unraveled quickly after halftime. Boston led by as many as 13 points in the first half, though the momentum vanished after the break as the Celtics struggled mightily from the perimeter. The Bucks closed the game on a dominant run, outscoring Boston 56-34 over the final 24 minutes and exposing cracks in both execution and rhythm. As the deficit grew, head coach Joe Mazzulla made the decision to pull his starters earlier than usual.
Mazzulla removed Boston’s entire starting five with five minuets and 26 seconds remaining in regulation following an 8-2 Milwaukee run that stretched the Bucks’ lead to 17 points. The move reflected the reality of the night more than a surrender, as Boston’s offense had completely stalled while Milwaukee found sustained success on nearly every possession. The Celtics entered the game as the Eastern Conference’s top offense, though that identity disappeared in the second half. Boston shot just 26 percent overall after halftime, with Jaylen Brown the only Celtic to score in double figures during that stretch. No other player managed more than four points after the break, making any realistic comeback unlikely.
Milwaukee, meanwhile, caught fire offensively, shooting 62 percent from the field in the second half and knocking down seven of its 12 three-point attempts. Bobby Portis, Kyle Kuzma, and Cole Anthony capitalized on Boston’s defensive breakdowns, finding clean looks and punishing late rotations. Without Giannis Antetokounmpo commanding attention inside, the Bucks’ supporting cast played freely and decisively, exploiting Boston’s inability to regain momentum. With the Celtics unable to string together stops or generate quality shots, the decision to preserve key minutes became increasingly logical.
Pulling the starters early also underscored Mazzulla’s long-term approach. Rather than chase a low-probability rally, the Celtics opted to protect their core and turn the focus toward correcting the issues exposed during the loss. Boston will have three days to regroup before another demanding test on Monday night against the East-leading Detroit Pistons at TD Garden. While the loss in Milwaukee was a setback, the early removal of the starters reflected an emphasis on accountability, preparation, and readiness moving forward. For a Celtics team navigating a challenging stretch of the schedule, the priority now becomes responding the right way rather than dwelling on a night when little went right.
