Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo responded to a comment from Boston Celtics’ Jaylen Brown, who called him a “child” after their on-court exchange Sunday.
During the game, Antetokounmpo extended his hand in what appeared to be an apology handshake following an offensive foul on Brown, only to pull it back, making it a playful fake.
Brown, when asked postgame if he found the gesture humorous, said, “Giannis is a child. I’m just focused on helping my team get a win. And that’s what we did tonight.”
After learning of Brown’s remark, Antetokounmpo laughed, offering his perspective on the situation. “Oh, that’s what he said? Dang!” Giannis said, adding, “This is who I am. I play the game with fun, joy. I try to surround myself around young people, so I can stay young myself.”
Antetokounmpo continued, explaining his lighthearted approach on and off the court. “I try to be around my kids a lot, my nieces…sometimes I might go out there on the court and do stuff like that,” he said, noting that he prioritizes staying true to himself.
“At the end of the day, he’s an incredible player. He always does the right thing to help his team win. But I’ll continue to be me…if I’m called the child, so be it.”
On the scoreboard, it was Boston’s Jayson Tatum who dominated, leading the Celtics to a 113-107 victory over the Bucks with 31 points, 12 rebounds, and six assists. The win was crucial for Boston, which now holds a 9-2 record and continues to build momentum in the Eastern Conference.
Despite Antetokounmpo’s 43-point, 13-rebound performance, the Bucks could not secure the win, marking their eighth loss in the last nine games.
The game saw Boston fight back from a nine-point halftime deficit, overtaking Milwaukee in a pivotal third quarter where the Bucks managed only 15 points, their lowest-scoring quarter this season.
Boston’s guard Payton Pritchard provided an offensive boost, scoring 17 of his 18 points in the first half to keep the Celtics within striking distance.
With Tatum taking over in the second half, the Celtics outlasted Milwaukee in an intense back-and-forth game that featured eight ties and seven lead changes.
Milwaukee struggled from beyond the arc, with Damian Lillard sinking just one of his eight 3-point attempts, a continuation of his recent shooting slump. Meanwhile, Boston’s consistent shooting from beyond the arc and effective defense held off the Bucks’ late-game efforts.
The Celtics’ defensive resilience was bolstered by key performances from Derrick White and Jrue Holiday, who combined for timely steals and assists. Al Horford contributed with a critical third-quarter 3-pointer that capped a 12-0 Boston run, helping them regain momentum.
Off the bench, Milwaukee’s Bobby Portis scored 15 points and grabbed seven rebounds, but the Bucks could not recover their early dominance. After a 16-2 start and a 69-58 halftime lead, Milwaukee’s offensive rhythm unraveled, allowing Boston to capitalize in the final minutes.
