Hey there, basketball fans! If you’re anything like me, there’s nothing quite like the thrill of a Boston Celtics vs Milwaukee Bucks Match Player Stats. It’s like watching two heavyweight champs go toe-to-toe in the ring—full of explosive dunks, laser-sharp passes, and those nail-biting moments that keep you glued to the screen. Whether you’re a die-hard Celtics supporter waving that green flag or a Bucks fan chanting for the Greek Freak, these games are pure adrenaline. Today, we’re breaking down the player stats from their epic clashes, with a special nod to the 2024-25 season where Boston dominated with a perfect 3-0 record. I’ll keep it simple, straightforward, and fun—no jargon overload here. Grab your popcorn, and let’s jump into the numbers that make these rivalries legendary.
Why These Boston Celtics vs Milwaukee Bucks Match Player Stats Rivalries Heat Up the Court
Picture this: The TD Garden in Boston is roaring, or the Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee is electric. Every time the Celtics and Bucks square off, it’s more than just a game; it’s a statement. Historically, these two teams have tangled 233 times in the regular season, with Boston holding a slight edge at 121 wins to Milwaukee’s 112. That’s over 50 years of back-and-forth battles, from the glory days of Larry Bird facing off against Sidney Moncrief to today’s superstar showdowns.
What makes it so special? It’s the star power. Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown for the Celtics bring that smooth, versatile scoring. On the Bucks’ side, Giannis Antetokounmpo is a force of nature, bulldozing to the rim, while Damian Lillard snipes from deep. Add in role players like Jrue Holiday, Al Horford, and Khris Middleton (when he’s healthy), and you’ve got a recipe for high-scoring thrillers. In the last five head-to-heads, Boston won four, averaging 94 points while holding Milwaukee to 83.4. But stats don’t lie—these games often come down to who controls the paint and the three-point line.
In the 2024-25 season, the Celtics swept the series, proving their championship mettle after winning it all in 2024. Let’s zoom in on those three games and see how individual performances shaped the outcomes. We’ll look at key players, their averages, and those standout moments that had fans on their feet.
The 2024-25 Season Showdowns: Game-by-Game Player Highlights
The season kicked off with a bang on October 28, 2024, when the Bucks hosted the Celtics at Fiserv Forum. Boston pulled away late for a 119-108 victory, shooting lights-out from beyond the arc. Payton Pritchard stole the show off the bench, draining eight threes for 28 points—his best game of the young season. Jaylen Brown led the starters with 30 points on efficient 12-of-18 shooting, showing why he’s a Finals MVP contender.
For Milwaukee, it was Damian Lillard and Giannis carrying the load. Lillard dropped 33 points, seven rebounds, and seven assists, looking every bit the point guard they traded for. Giannis? A monster double-double: 30 points and 10 rebounds, plus six assists. But Boston’s defense, anchored by Derrick White and Jrue Holiday (now a Celtic), clamped down in the fourth, forcing turnovers that sealed the deal.
Fast-forward to November 10 in Milwaukee. The Bucks were hungry for revenge, but Boston struck first with a 113-107 win. Jayson Tatum was the alpha here, scoring 34 points and grabbing 10 rebounds—his signature stat line. Brown added 25, and the Celtics’ bench depth shone through. Milwaukee fought back with Lillard’s 31 points and Giannis’s 30 points and 11 boards, but it wasn’t enough. Khris Middleton, still sidelined by ankle surgery, was missed dearly; his playmaking could have tilted the scales.
The rubber match came on December 6 at TD Garden, a 111-105 thriller on Giannis’s 30th birthday. Tatum again dominated with 34 points and 10 rebounds, while Brown chipped in 25. Middleton made his season debut, scoring 11 points in limited minutes, but rust was evident. Lillard tallied 31, and Giannis posted 30 and 11, but Boston’s 17 made threes (led by White’s defense) proved decisive. There were 11 ties and 14 lead changes—classic edge-of-your-seat stuff.
Across these three games, Boston’s edge showed in efficiency: They shot 48% from the field and 38% from three, while Milwaukee hovered around 45% and 35%. Rebounding was even (around 44 per team), but the Celtics forced more turnovers (15 vs. 10 average). Now, let’s spotlight the stars and see how their stats stack up.
Jayson Tatum: The Celtics’ Scoring Boston Celtics vs Milwaukee Bucks Match Player Stats
If there’s one player who embodies Boston’s rise, it’s Jayson Tatum. The Duke product has grown from a promising rookie to a two-time All-NBA forward, and his battles with Milwaukee highlight why. Career-wise against the Bucks, Tatum averages 22.9 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 3.3 assists over 25 games. That’s steady production, but dig deeper: In his last 10 matchups, he’s bumped it to 26.7 points, 7.6 boards, and 4.6 dimes.
In the 2024-25 sweep, Tatum elevated: 26.7 points, 10.0 rebounds, and 5.0 assists per game. Against Giannis’s length, he thrives on mid-range pull-ups and drives, shooting 47% from the field in those games. Remember Game 2? His 34-10 double-double included a game-sealing three-pointer that silenced the Milwaukee crowd.
What makes Tatum special here? His poise under pressure. Milwaukee’s defense often doubles him, but he dishes to shooters like Brown or Pritchard. Off the court, Tatum’s work ethic—those offseason grinds—translates to clutch plays. At 27, he’s just entering his prime, and Bucks fans know all too well how he dismantled them in the 2022 playoffs with 46 points in Game 7.
Fun fact: Tatum’s scoring against Milwaukee ranks among his top opponent averages, edging out even Knicks matchups. If you’re scouting for fantasy or bets, bet on Tatum over 25.5 points in these games—he’s hit it in 70% of career starts vs. the Bucks.
Giannis Antetokounmpo: The Greek Freak’s Relentless Assault on Boston
Now, flip the script to Milwaukee’s side, where Giannis Antetokounmpo isn’t just a player—he’s a phenomenon. The two-time MVP has tormented the Celtics throughout his career, averaging 23.2 points, 9.1 rebounds, and 4.4 assists in 38 games. His eurosteps and poster dunks are the stuff of nightmares for Boston’s bigs, like Al Horford or even Kristaps Porzingis when healthy.
This past season, though? Giannis turned it up to 11: 34.3 points, 11.3 rebounds, and 4.0 assists across the three losses. In the December 6 birthday bash, his 30-11 line nearly willed a comeback, including a vicious block on Tatum that had the bench erupting. Despite the 0-3 skid, Giannis shot 55% from the field, grabbing 4 offensive boards per game to give Milwaukee second chances.
Giannis’s impact goes beyond boxes. His paint presence forces rotations, opening lanes for Lillard. In the 2021 playoffs, he averaged 30.2 points and 12.8 rebounds against Boston, dragging the Bucks to the ECF. But Boston’s switchable defense—Holiday on the perimeter, White in passing lanes—has slowed him lately. Still, at 30, with that freakish athleticism, he’s the Bucks’ heartbeat. Without him, Milwaukee’s offense drops 15 points per 100 possessions. Stat to watch: Giannis’s triple-doubles vs. Boston—he’s got five career ones.
Jaylen Brown: The Unsung Hero Lighting Up Milwaukee
Jaylen Brown doesn’t always grab the headlines like Tatum, but man, does he deliver in big spots. Against the Bucks, Brown’s career line is 19.2 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 3.1 assists over 25 games. He’s the ultimate X-factor, slashing to the rim and defending wings like no one else.
In 2024-25, Brown was on fire: 25+ points in all three games, including that 30-point explosion on October 28. His athleticism matches Giannis’s, leading to epic one-on-one duels—like the elbow incident in November that sparked a technical foul but fired up the team. Coach Joe Mazzulla called it “tremendous,” saying it unlocked Brown’s edge.
Brown’s efficiency stands out: 50% field goal shooting vs. Milwaukee, plus elite defense (1.2 steals per game career). In the 2022 playoffs, he dropped 27 points and 12 boards in Game 3 to keep Boston alive. He’s the glue—scoring when Tatum’s doubled, rebounding in traffic. At 28, post-Finals MVP, Brown’s evolved into a two-way star. Pro tip: In prop bets, his over 20.5 points hits 65% against the Bucks.
Damian Lillard: Dame Time Tries to Turn the Tide
Damian Lillard joined Milwaukee to chase rings, and his deep-ball magic has been a game-changer. Career vs. Boston: 22.9 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 6.7 assists in 26 games. Those step-back threes? They’ve broken Celtics hearts more than once.
This season, Lillard averaged 31.7 points in the three matchups, with double-digit assists potential. His 33-point debut vs. Boston set the tone, complete with seven boards and dimes. But Boston’s backcourt—White and Holiday—disrupted his rhythm, forcing tougher shots. Still, Lillard’s clutch gene shines: In the December loss, he hit a buzzer-beater attempt that rimmed out.
At 35, Dame’s legs aren’t what they were in Portland, but his IQ is sharper. Paired with Giannis, they average 65 points combined vs. Boston. Middleton’s return (11 points in his debut) could boost Lillard’s playmaking. Stat nugget: Lillard’s 40% three-point shooting vs. the Celtics ranks top-10 among guards.
Role Players Who Steal the Show: Depth Makes the Difference
Stars win games, but benches win series. For Boston, Payton Pritchard’s 28 points (8/11 from three) on October 28 was a wake-up call—he’s averaging 15+ off the bench vs. Milwaukee this year. Jrue Holiday, the ultimate pest, held Lillard under 25 in one game with four steals. Al Horford’s veteran savvy—10 points, 8 boards—stabilizes the frontcourt.
Milwaukee’s depth took hits with Middleton out early, but when he played December 6, his 11 points and five assists showed promise. Brook Lopez anchors the rim (12 points, 5 blocks career vs. Boston), while Bobby Portis provides grit off the pine.
These unsung heroes tip scales: Boston’s bench outscored Milwaukee’s 45-35 average in the sweep.
Historical Head-to-Head Stats: A Legacy of Greatness
Stepping back, the all-time numbers tell a story of parity. Boston’s won 53 of the last 100, but Milwaukee’s peaked in the Giannis era. Playoff wise, the 2022 semis were legendary—Bucks stole Game 1, but Celtics closed in seven.
Key trends: Games average 210 total points, with over 54% hitting the over. Boston excels in threes (16.5 made per game last year), while Milwaukee dominates rebounds (44.2 average).
| Category | Celtics Avg vs Bucks | Bucks Avg vs Celtics |
|---|---|---|
| Points | 104.8 | 102.1 |
| Rebounds | 43.5 | 44.2 |
| Assists | 24.1 | 23.8 |
| FG% | 46.5% | 45.8% |
| 3PT% | 37.2% | 36.5% |
(Data from last 10 seasons)
What These Stats Mean for the Future
As we head into 2025-26, expect more fireworks. With Boston defending their title and Milwaukee healthy, player stats will evolve. Tatum and Brown could push 30 PPG averages; Giannis might crack 35. Lillard’s health is key—without it, Bucks lean too hard on the big man.