The 2024–25 NBA season saw an exciting set of matchups between two Eastern Conference powerhouses: the Boston Celtics and the Milwaukee Bucks. This rivalry is centered around star players, with Boston’s Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown squaring off against Milwaukee’s Giannis Antetokounmpo and the newly acquired Damian Lillard. Over the course of the regular season, these two teams met in three games, each showcasing incredible individual performances and team dynamics. Here’s a detailed breakdown of the matchups, player performances, and overall results.
Game 1: October 28, 2024 – Boston Celtics 119, Milwaukee Bucks 108
Location: TD Garden, Boston
The first game of the 2024–25 season between the Boston Celtics and the Milwaukee Bucks was held in Boston, with the Celtics securing a 119–108 victory. From the tip-off, the Celtics’ offense was in full flow, showcasing the depth of their roster and the versatility of their star players.
Key Performances:
- Jayson Tatum: Tatum had an outstanding game, leading the Celtics with 34 points and 12 rebounds. His ability to score efficiently from the field, combined with his strong presence on the boards, was crucial in the Celtics’ victory.
- Jaylen Brown: Brown contributed significantly with 30 points, complementing Tatum’s scoring. His shooting from beyond the arc was especially important, as he made timely shots to stretch the Bucks’ defense.
- Derrick White: White was effective both offensively and defensively, finishing with 8 assists and 8 rebounds. His playmaking was instrumental in creating open shots for his teammates.
For the Bucks, despite strong individual performances, they struggled to stop the Celtics’ offensive flow.
- Giannis Antetokounmpo: Giannis had a typical dominant performance, posting 30 points, 10 rebounds, and 5 assists. However, his efforts weren’t enough to overcome the balanced attack of the Celtics.
- Damian Lillard: Lillard, playing his first season with the Bucks, contributed 33 points and 7 assists, showcasing his ability to score and facilitate. However, the Bucks’ defense struggled to contain the Celtics’ high-powered offense.
Outcome:
Boston’s offensive firepower was too much for the Bucks to handle, and the Celtics secured a 119–108 victory at home.
Game 2: November 10, 2024 – Boston Celtics 113, Milwaukee Bucks 107
Location: Fiserv Forum, Milwaukee
The second meeting of the season took place in Milwaukee, where the Bucks looked to avenge their earlier loss. The game was a tightly contested affair, with both teams going back and forth, but in the end, it was the Celtics who held on for a 113–107 win.
Key Performances:
- Jayson Tatum: Tatum once again proved to be the Celtics’ most reliable player, scoring 31 points, including 23 in the second half. His ability to score in clutch moments helped Boston maintain their lead in the second half.
- Payton Pritchard: Off the bench, Pritchard exploded for 28 points, tying a franchise record for three-pointers in a game. His shooting from beyond the arc was a key factor in the Celtics’ victory.
- Jaylen Brown: Brown added another solid performance with 20 points, providing the Celtics with another scoring threat alongside Tatum.
For the Bucks, it was again Giannis and Lillard who led the charge:
- Giannis Antetokounmpo: Giannis put up 30 points and grabbed 12 rebounds, but his efforts were not enough to slow down the Celtics’ offensive attack.
- Damian Lillard: Lillard had 27 points and 7 assists, showing his ability to be a playmaker, but his individual efforts couldn’t carry the Bucks to victory.
Outcome:
Boston showed resilience in the second half, outlasting the Bucks for a 113–107 win. Pritchard’s stellar performance off the bench was key in Boston’s success.
Game 3: December 6, 2024 – Boston Celtics 111, Milwaukee Bucks 105
Location: TD Garden, Boston
The final matchup of the season between these two teams was once again held at TD Garden, with the Celtics looking to complete a season sweep of the Bucks. The game was another intense contest, but Boston’s ability to execute in the final minutes helped them secure a 111–105 victory.
Key Performances:
- Jayson Tatum: Tatum finished with 34 points and 10 rebounds, continuing his stellar form throughout the season. His ability to score in a variety of ways, including from the three-point line and driving to the basket, was a key factor in Boston’s success.
- Jaylen Brown: Brown had another strong performance with 25 points. His shooting was crucial in stretching the Bucks’ defense and providing a secondary scoring option alongside Tatum.
- Derrick White: White contributed with 7 assists, showcasing his ability to run the offense and get his teammates involved. His steady play on both ends of the floor was important in securing the win.
For the Bucks, despite their best efforts, they fell short once again:
- Giannis Antetokounmpo: Giannis led the Bucks with 30 points and 12 rebounds. His presence in the paint and ability to dominate the glass was impressive, but it wasn’t enough to overcome the Celtics’ offensive efficiency.
- Damian Lillard: Lillard scored 24 points, but struggled with his shooting efficiency, making it difficult for the Bucks to get back into the game during the crucial moments.
Outcome:
The Celtics held off a late-game surge from the Bucks to secure a 111–105 victory, completing the season sweep. Tatum’s all-around performance was a major factor in Boston’s win.
Player Performance Summary for the 2024–25 Season:
Boston Celtics:
- Jayson Tatum: Averaged 26.8 points, 8.7 rebounds, and 6.0 assists per game. His leadership and ability to score in various ways were crucial for the Celtics’ success.
- Jaylen Brown: Contributed 22.2 points per game. Brown was a consistent scoring threat and provided much-needed support alongside Tatum.
- Derrick White: Averaged 16.4 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 4.8 assists. White’s all-around contributions, especially his playmaking, helped Boston maintain their offensive flow.
- Payton Pritchard: Averaged 11.1 points per game off the bench. Pritchard’s three-point shooting was a major asset for the Celtics during the season.
Milwaukee Bucks:
- Giannis Antetokounmpo: Averaged 30.4 points, 11.9 rebounds, and 6.5 assists per game. Giannis was a force on both ends of the floor and consistently kept the Bucks competitive.
- Damian Lillard: Averaged 24.9 points and 7.1 assists per game. Lillard’s scoring ability and playmaking were vital for the Bucks, especially with his ability to hit clutch shots.
Conclusion
The 2024–25 regular season matchups between the Boston Celtics and the Milwaukee Bucks were highly anticipated, and they delivered in terms of individual performances and team dynamics. The Celtics swept the season series 3–0, with Jayson Tatum leading the charge in all three games. Despite strong individual performances from Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard, the Bucks were unable to overcome the Celtics’ well-balanced offensive attack. These matchups showcased the depth of the Celtics’ roster and their ability to execute in high-pressure moments, while the Bucks will look to build on their strong individual performances for future seasons.
