Boston Celtics
Jayson Tatum was one assist shy of his second straight triple-double despite missing the entire fourth quarter.
The Milwaukee Bucks’ Andre Jackson Jr. (44) drives to the basket between the Boston Celtics’ Neemias Koeta (88) and Derrick White (9) during the first half of an NBA basketball game on Friday, April 3, 2026, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Aaron Gash) AP
Milwaukee (AFP) – Jaylen Brown scored 26 points and Jayson Tatum added 23 points, as the Boston Celtics benefited from another fast start to achieve a 133-101 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks on Friday night.
Tatum was an assist shy of his second straight triple-double despite missing the entire fourth quarter of the game and the Celtics never trailed. He had 11 rebounds and nine assists on Friday after collecting 25 points, 18 rebounds and 11 assists on Wednesday in a 147-129 win over the Miami Heat.
In the Miami game, Boston scored 53 points in the opening period – the highest first-quarter point total in franchise history. The Celtics weren’t quite the same on Friday, but they made eight of their first nine three-point attempts and led 43-26 after the opening period.
That marks the most first-quarter points Milwaukee has allowed all season.
Boston (52-25) remained two and a half games ahead of the New York Knicks in the competition for the second seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs. The Celtics are four games behind the Eastern Conference-leading Detroit Pistons.
Neemias Koita scored 19 points and grabbed 10 rebounds for the Celtics, who shot 56.2% overall and 17 of 37 from three-point range. Derrick White scored 17, Payton Pritchard 16, and Sam Hauser 13.
Taurean Prince scored 18 points to lead Milwaukee. Pete Nance scored 14 points and grabbed 10 rebounds.
Milwaukee’s Giannis Antetokounmpo missed the tenth straight game due to what the Bucks described as hyperextension in his left knee and a bone bruise. He told The Athletic and Milwaukee Journal Sentinel before the game that he was healthy and wanted to play.
The Bucks were also missing Kevin Porter Jr. (right knee), Bobby Portis (sprained left wrist), Ryan Rollins (right hip strain) and Gary Trent Jr. (left hip pointer).
Boston was without Nikola Vucevic, who last played on March 6 as he suffered a fractured right ring finger.
Celtics: Host the Toronto Raptors on Sunday.
Bucks: Host the Memphis Grizzlies on Sunday.
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