December 26, (THEWILL) – On Saturday night, Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 36 points after returning from the National Basketball Association (NBA) healthy and safety protocols to help the Milwaukee Bucks rally back to victory.
Wesley Matthews hit a 3-pointer with 30.3 seconds left to give the Milwaukee Bucks their first lead on the way to a 117-113 victory over the Boston Celtics.
Antetokounmpo made his first appearance since December 12 and played 30 minutes, connecting on 13 of 23 shots and going 10 for 15 from the free-throw line. Just in time for the televised Christmas battle, Milwaukee received centre Bobby Portis and guard Donte DiVincenzo back from COVID-19 protocols.
After placing Dennis Schroder in the protocol earlier Saturday, Boston had only eight players available, but they took control behind Jaylen Brown, who scored 14 of his 25 points in the first quarter. Jayson Tatum added 25 points for Boston, which led by as much as 19 points at halftime and led 35-22.
With 3:39 left in the third quarter, Middleton hit a 3-pointer to cut the Milwaukee deficit to one. The Celtics responded with five straight points and an 8-0 run to start the fourth quarter, including six points from Parker, who converted a three-point play to make it 102-90 with 10:15 remaining.
With 8 minutes left, Portis’ put-back ignited the Bucks’ comeback, tying the game at 111 when Antetokounmpo scored and drew a foul with 1:26 remaining. Brown sank a pair of free throws on the opposite end to put Boston back in the lead.
But Matthews hit a 3-pointer to give the Bucks a 114-113 advantage, and they held on.
DiVincenzo, who had not played since suffering a left foot injury in the playoffs last season, scored his first and only points on a 3-pointer late in the third quarter.
About the Author
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
