Celtics Dominate Shorthanded Bucks in Lopsided Win

Boston stars Brown and Tatum lead the way as Celtics cruise past Milwaukee.

Apr. 4, 2026 at 5:21am

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting fragmented, overlapping shapes and planes of green, gold, and white, representing the fast-paced action and energy of a basketball game between the Boston Celtics and Milwaukee Bucks.The Celtics' decisive victory over the depleted Bucks highlights their status as an elite Eastern Conference contender.Boston Today

The Boston Celtics cruised to a 133-101 victory over the host Milwaukee Bucks on Friday night, led by strong performances from Jaylen Brown (26 points) and Jayson Tatum (23 points, 11 rebounds, 9 assists). The Celtics took advantage of a shorthanded Bucks roster to secure the lopsided win.

Why it matters

This game highlighted the depth and talent of the Celtics, who continue to assert themselves as one of the top teams in the Eastern Conference. The loss for the Bucks is a setback as they try to keep pace in the playoff race without some of their key players.

The details

The Celtics dominated from start to finish, shooting 53% from the field and 41% from 3-point range. In addition to Brown and Tatum's big nights, the Celtics got solid contributions from their supporting cast. The Bucks, meanwhile, were missing several injured players including Giannis Antetokounmpo and Khris Middleton, making it difficult for them to keep up with the Celtics' firepower.

  • The game was played on Friday, April 4, 2026.

The players

Jaylen Brown

A star forward for the Boston Celtics who scored 26 points in the win.

Jayson Tatum

A star forward for the Boston Celtics who recorded 23 points, 11 rebounds and 9 assists in the victory.

Giannis Antetokounmpo

The star player for the Milwaukee Bucks who was out injured and missed the game.

Khris Middleton

A key player for the Milwaukee Bucks who was also out injured and missed the contest.

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What they’re saying

“We came out with a lot of energy and really set the tone early. When we play like that, we're tough to beat.”

— Jaylen Brown, Celtics Forward

The takeaway

The Celtics' dominant victory over the short-handed Bucks showcases their status as one of the top teams in the East and their ability to capitalize on injuries to their opponents. This game could have major implications for the playoff race in the Eastern Conference.