Jayson Tatum Shines as Celtics Edge Bucks in Thrilling Showdown
BOSTON — The Boston Celtics and Milwaukee Bucks are no strangers to high-stakes battles, and Friday night at TD Garden was no exception. For the third time this season, these two Eastern Conference powerhouses clashed in a game that felt more like a playoff preview than a regular-season matchup. And for the third time, it was the defending champion Celtics who emerged victorious, securing a hard-fought 111-105 win in front of a roaring sellout crowd.
Jayson Tatum was the star of the night, delivering a game-high 34 points along with 10 rebounds and 5 assists. His performance was the driving force behind Boston’s victory, which completed a 3-0 sweep of the season series against Milwaukee. The Bucks, despite their best efforts, couldn’t find the answers they needed down the stretch.
“We take that right now we’re in the game with them, but we haven’t beaten them,” Bucks coach Doc Rivers admitted after the game. “We do believe we have a big stretch that we’re going to get better. We’re going to get a lot better, and they will too a little bit, but we will a lot.”
Rivers didn’t shy away from the reality of the situation, adding, “So, yeah, we hope to play them again in the playoffs in the late rounds, and we’ll see how it goes. But right now they’re the champs, and until someone beats them, they’re the champs.”
Playoff Atmosphere in December
From the opening tip, the intensity in the building was palpable. The crowd was electric, the players were locked in, and the physicality on the court was reminiscent of a postseason showdown. Despite the high stakes, both teams managed to keep turnovers to a minimum, combining for just 15 on the night. The stars on both sides delivered in a big way, with Tatum and Jaylen Brown (25 points) leading the charge for Boston, while Giannis Antetokounmpo (30 points, 11 rebounds) and Damian Lillard (31 points) carried the load for Milwaukee.
Boston was without Kristaps Porzingis, who was sidelined for injury management ahead of Saturday’s game against the Memphis Grizzlies. Meanwhile, Derrick White and Payton Pritchard struggled mightily, with White shooting just 1-for-10 (0-for-8 from three) and Pritchard going scoreless in 24 minutes. The Celtics also failed to register a single second-chance point, with Milwaukee holding an 11-0 edge in that category. Yet, somehow, Boston still found a way to win.
“It wasn’t a playoff game, but it was a special night,” Tatum said afterward. “This is my eighth year, and these nights where you’re playing a team that’s really good with some special players, and the crowd is really involved, and guys are making plays and feeding off the energy of your teammates and of the crowd and the fans, the amount of times that we’ve won games in moments like that. It’s just another special night at TD Garden that I’ve been a part of.”
Key Moments Define the Game
One of the most memorable moments of the night came in the third quarter when Al Horford’s wife, Amelia, stood up from her front-row seat and urged the crowd to get louder as Antetokounmpo stepped to the free-throw line. The energy in the building was undeniable, and it was clear that this game meant a little more to everyone involved.
“Yes, no question,” Horford said when asked if playing the Bucks feels different. “There are certain teams that it just does, and we’ve been since JT’s rookie year, we went to seven against those guys. Year after year, both teams have had a lot of success in the East, and it is different, every time we play them, and that’s just the reality.”
For much of the game, it looked like the Bucks might finally have the upper hand. Boston struggled mightily from beyond the arc, missing 15 consecutive three-pointers from late in the first quarter to early in the third. Antetokounmpo was a force in the paint, bulldozing his way to the rim, while Lillard found ways to attack Boston’s defense despite some questionable non-calls on continuation plays.
But with 90 seconds remaining, the game took a decisive turn. Antetokounmpo, left open on the wing, attempted his first three-pointer of the night. The shot missed, and Horford quickly responded with a bucket on the other end, giving Boston a four-point lead they would not relinquish.
“Coming down, I saw Al Horford backing up,” Antetokounmpo said. “I felt like I could make it. Shot it. Went well, in my opinion. S—, if I had the chance to shoot it again, I’d shoot it again. I’ve made it multiple times, so I’d shoot it again.”
Looking Ahead
For the Bucks, the loss was another reminder of how much work remains to be done. After starting the season 2-8, Milwaukee has clawed its way back to .500 by winning nine of their last 11 games. The question now is how much more they can improve before a potential playoff rematch with Boston.
“I’m not going to talk about moral victories and everything, but they’re a great team,” said Bucks forward Khris Middleton, who made his season debut with 11 points on 2-for-10 shooting in 23 minutes off the bench. “We want to get back to where they were last year, and they’re trying to get back to where they were last year, also. So it’s just about putting our best foot before and trying to be the best team. I’m not worried about anything else, really.”
With both teams eyeing deep playoff runs, Friday’s game was a tantalizing preview of what could be an epic postseason showdown. For now, though, the Celtics remain the team to beat in the East.
Originally Written by: Tim Bontemps
