The Boston Celtics dominated the Milwaukee Bucks 108-81 on Monday night, spoiling Giannis Antetokounmpo's return from injury. Payton Pritchard led the way with 25 points, while rookie Hugo González set career highs with 18 points and 16 rebounds. The Celtics' victory marked their third straight and seventh in eight games, showcasing their recent form and depth. Despite Antetokounmpo's 19 points and 11 rebounds in 25 minutes, the Bucks struggled without their star player, going 8-7 during his absence. Boston's absence of Jaylen Brown and Neemias Queta, who rested after a career-high 27 points, didn't seem to impact their performance. Hugo González, the 28th overall pick in the 2025 draft, started for just the third time, contributing 3.9 points and 3.3 rebounds on average. Nikola Vucevic made his first start since the trade deadline, adding 10 points, seven assists, and five rebounds. The Celtics' strong first-half performance, including a 24-5 run, solidified their control over the game. They led by 22 points at one point and maintained a 57-43 lead at halftime. Milwaukee's struggles continued, losing their last three games by at least 23 points. The Celtics will host Charlotte on Wednesday, while the Bucks will face Atlanta at home. The Celtics' recent success and the Bucks' challenges without Antetokounmpo set the stage for an intriguing upcoming schedule.
