Patrick Beverley’s commanding performance propelled the Milwaukee Bucks (48-31) to a pivotal 104-91 win against the Boston Celtics (62-17), overshadowed by concerns over Giannis Antetokounmpo’s left calf injury.
Beverley’s impactful double-double of 20 points and 10 rebounds steered the Bucks to victory after a strategic lineup change, with the veteran guard starting ahead of Malik Beasley for the first time this season.
Antetokounmpo’s injury cast a shadow over the game’s outcome, as the two-time MVP’s departure late in the third quarter due to a left calf strain sparked worries for the Bucks’ postseason aspirations.
Despite the setback, Milwaukee demonstrated resilience, capitalizing on a scorching start to establish a commanding 24-point lead in the first half, effectively neutralizing the absence of their star forward.
With Antetokounmpo sidelined, Milwaukee’s supporting cast stepped up, with key contributions from Brook Lopez and Bobby Portis, who each scored 15 points, alongside Damian Lillard and Khris Middleton, who added 12 points apiece.
The Celtics, already secured atop the NBA standings, faced their own challenges with the absence of Al Horford and Kristaps Porzingis, managing their workload ahead of the postseason.
Despite a valiant effort from Jayson Tatum (22 points) and Jaylen Brown (14 points, 10 rebounds), the Celtics couldn’t overcome Milwaukee’s early onslaught and struggled to regain momentum.
