On Friday, Khris Middleton, an All-Star, returned to the Milwaukee Bucks’ court for the first time this season. But Giannis Antetokounmpo‘s 30th birthday and the forward’s comeback game were ruined by the Boston Celtics, who were too strong for the squad.
The defending champions headed Milwaukee to a 111-105 defeat, with All-Star forward Jayson Tatum leading the way with 34 points and 10 rebounds on 40% shooting from beyond the arc. Jaylen Brown added 25 points to push the team to earn another victory.
For Milwaukee, Antetokounmpo had 30 points for his 30th birthday and secured 11 boards. The 6-foot-11 forward shot 52% from the mid-range and excelled inside the 3-point arc. All-Star guard Damian Lillard had 31 points and shot 48% from the field.
Middleton, who had his season debut, came off the bench and played 23 minutes. With his time on the floor, the veteran forward had 11 points, three rebounds and five assists on 20% shooting from the field.
The Bucks won in a few categories on the floor. In rebounding, Giannis and the team had 51 boards, while the Celtics had 41. Thanks to their efforts on the boards, they overpowered their opponents in second-chance points with 11. They also shot the ball well better from beyond the arc and shot an efficient 37.9%, better than Boston’s 32.1% performance from deep.
This is their third and final game against each other this season. During the first two contests, the Celtics outperformed Giannis and his squad, sweeping them in their season series.
Fans react to the Bucks’ defeat to the Celtics
Following the Bucks’ latest loss to the Celtics, fans immediately took to the internet to discuss it. The fans went to X (formerly Twitter) and didn’t hold back their thoughts on how Milwaukee performed.
“Without needing to be at the line 20 times,” one fan threw shade at Antetokounmpo.
“showed giannis who the real mvp is in that 4th😮💨😮💨” one fan said about Tatum’s performance.
“Ethical hoops and doesn’t live at the FT line too,” another fan said.
Ethical hoops and doesn’t live at the FT line too
— Cole (@cole7melo) December 7, 2024
“He outplayed Giannis in the clutch, MVPPPPP.”
“Tatum won on both his son’s birthday. Duece and Gianni’s.”
“There’s no reason to lose this game, poor shot selection late in the game, and I’ve realized that Brook can’t guards small players pathetic. Something needs to change”
There’s no reason to lose this game, poor shot selection late in the game, and I’ve realized that Brook can’t guards small players pathetic. Something needs to change
— The Legacy (@TheLegacy34) December 7, 2024
“Run and dunk man cost you again 😂😂😂😂”
“Getting swept when KP didn’t play a single game is CRAZY”
“Happy birthday to both JT sons,”
Happy birthday to both JT sons, pic.twitter.com/SnpxGvAQNw
— FrogMan (@FrogMania_) December 7, 2024
“Thank 34 for that selfish few plays”
“I’m so pissed that last few minutes 😭 we could literally win this game”
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Follow me on X at @BarbecueBro, and follow us at @HardwoodHeroics and @GridironHeroics. You can also reach out to Reign Amurao via email at reignamuraonba@gmail.com. To read more of our articles and keep up to date on the latest sports news, click here!
Reign also writes NBA and WNBA news updates on Sportskeeda. He started as a feature writer for AirAlamo, an NBA website that covers the San Antonio Spurs. Some of his work can also be seen with Valley of the Suns, a Phoenix Suns-centric website, where he served as a contributing writer.
