Bucks Struggle Continue as Celtics Hand Milwaukee Fifth Straight Loss

The Milwaukee Bucks’ difficult stretch showed little sign of easing Sunday afternoon at TD Garden. Facing a Celtics team surging up the Eastern Conference standings, Milwaukee was outmatched on both ends in a 107-79 loss that extended its skid to five games.

After a competitive opening period, the Bucks’ offense stalled in the second quarter, allowing Boston to seize control and steadily widen the gap. By the fourth, the outcome was largely settled, with the Celtics leading by as many as 31 points and cruising to their 31st win of the season.

For Milwaukee, now 18-29, the defeat underscored a growing problem: consistent scoring has been hard to come by. Shots that once fell with rhythm have clanged off the rim, and possessions have too often ended without quality looks.

The result was another long afternoon for a team already navigating injuries and uncertainty, with head coach Doc Rivers offering a candid postgame assessment of where things stand.

1. Offensive Woes Define the Night

The numbers painted a clear picture of Milwaukee’s struggles. The Bucks shot just 35% from the field and connected on only 10 of their 34 attempts from three-point range, never finding a reliable source of offense against Boston’s defense. Ball movement slowed as the game progressed, and clean shots became scarce. Milwaukee managed only 79 total points, well below its season average, and frequently settled for contested attempts late in the shot clock. Boston also dominated the interior. The Celtics outrebounded the Bucks 52-40 and scored 42 points in the paint, repeatedly turning second chances and close-range opportunities into easy baskets. “When we couldn’t make shots, it’s hard to create shots,” Rivers said afterward, pointing to the team’s spacing and rhythm issues. He noted that stretches without key contributors led to extended scoring droughts that Boston quickly exploited.

2. Rivers Faces Mounting Challenges

Rivers’ postgame tone was measured but somber, reflecting the reality of the situation. The veteran coach acknowledged the difficulty of keeping the offense flowing when the roster is in flux. He singled out guard Ryan Rollins and forward Bobby Portis for their energy and production, suggesting the team’s scoring dipped whenever they left the floor. Outside of those pockets, Milwaukee struggled to generate consistent pressure on Boston’s defense. “It’s tough,” Rivers said. “Trying to get the ball movement, the spacing, and getting guys time to get shots off. It’s very difficult. We’re just going to keep working at it.” The struggles have fueled outside criticism. Rivers, already under scrutiny earlier this season, has heard growing frustration from fans as the losses pile up, and the Bucks’ current offensive average — 111.8 points per game — ranks among the league’s lowest.

3. Life Without Giannis

Complicating matters is the absence of Giannis Antetokounmpo, who remains sidelined with a calf injury and without a firm timetable for return. Without the two-time MVP, Milwaukee lacks its primary scorer, playmaker and emotional catalyst. His absence has forced others into larger roles and exposed the team’s limited margin for error. Defensive lapses and cold shooting stretches that might otherwise be survivable have turned into decisive runs for opponents. The uncertainty surrounding Antetokounmpo’s future has added another layer of pressure. Reports suggesting he could eventually consider a move away from Milwaukee have only intensified the focus on the team’s direction and leadership. For now, Rivers and the Bucks are left searching for answers, trying to steady a group that once projected as a contender but now finds itself fighting simply to regain footing in the standings.