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Shorthanded Celtics Stifle Bucks In Giannis Antetokounmpo's Return originally appeared on NESN. Add NESN as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
After taking care of business at home against the Philadelphia 76ers on Sunday night, the Boston Celtics hit the road to battle the Milwaukee Bucks on Monday.
The day featured several concerning developments for the Celtics, who announced they were resting Jaylen Brown and Neemias Queta on the second night of a back-to-back. Meanwhile, the Bucks finally got two-time NBA MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo back from a calf injury for the first time since late January.
In the end, however, none of that mattered. Boston was the better team, and it played like it.
The Celtics raced ahead early and never looked back, building a double-digit lead in the first quarter and cruising to an easy 108-81 victory.
Boston dominated wire-to-wire, winning every quarter against former Celtics head coach Doc Rivers. It won the rebounding battle easily despite missing Queta, crushing Milwaukee on the boards by 13.
Yesterday: career night for Neemias Queta
— NBA (@NBA) March 3, 2026
Today: career night for Hugo González 🔥
18 PTS, 16 REB, 3 STL, 2 BLK for the @celtics rookie! pic.twitter.com/hj1SjEBOXY
Payton Pritchard bounced back after going scoreless on Sunday, leading both sides with 25 points and five 3-pointers. However, Hugo Gonzalez was the star of the show, putting together the best game of his NBA career thus far with 18 points and 16 rebounds -- both career-highs -- in a massive double-double.
Nikola Vucevic drew his first start in a Boston uniform with Queta out, notching 10 points, seven assists and five rebounds. Derrick White added 18 points and nine assists, tying Pritchard for the team lead in dimes.
Not surprisingly, Antetokounmpo was a bit rusty in his first game since Jan. 23. He led the Bucks with 19 points and 11 rebounds but struggled with his shot, going just 7-for-18 from the floor.
The surging Celtics have now won 12 of their last 14 games, improving to 41-20 overall and 6-1 without Brown this season. They'll go for their fourth straight win when they host the Charlotte Hornets at TD Garden on Wednesday.
More NBA: Hugo Gonzalez Grabs 16 Rebounds In Astounding Double-Double Performance For Celtics