Key Takeaways:
- Kyle Kuzma tallied a season-high 31 points to lead the Milwaukee Bucks past the Boston Celtics 116-101
- Bobby Portis contributed 27 points and 10 rebounds, converting 11 of 13 attempts, as the Bucks overcame a halftime deficit
- Boston’s five-game winning streak ended, with Jaylen Brown posting 30 points in the defeat
Second-Half Rally Propels Milwaukee
The Milwaukee Bucks overcame the absence of Giannis Antetokounmpo to secure a 116-101 home victory against the Boston Celtics on Thursday. The Bucks were trailing at half-time, but a dominant second-half display, powered by Kyle Kuzma’s season-best 31 points and Bobby Portis’ 27 points and 10 rebounds, turned the game around.
Beat Boston. pic.twitter.com/qg11Bj8tr5
— Milwaukee Bucks (@Bucks) December 12, 2025
The momentum shifted decisively as Bobby Portis sank two three-pointers from the left corner at the start of the fourth quarter, igniting an 8-2 surge that put Milwaukee ahead 95-82. Portis extended the lead further with another three-pointer, making it 106-89 with 6:49 remaining on the clock.
Key Performers and Stats
Portis lit up the court, connecting on 11 of his 13 attempts, including five of six from beyond the arc, all within just 26 minutes of play. Kevin Porter Jr. delivered a triple-double, finishing with 18 points, 10 rebounds, and 13 assists.
For the Celtics, Jaylen Brown posted a team-high 30 points while Jordan Walsh added 20. Payton Pritchard and Walsh both connected on three 3-pointers in the opening half, but Boston as a unit struggled from distance by the end, converting only 14 of 49 for 28.6%.
How the Game Unfolded
Boston led 67-60 at the break and built their advantage to 52-38 following a 23-9 run capped by a Pritchard three-pointer with under seven minutes remaining in the first half. However, Kuzma led Milwaukee’s response with nine points in an 11-0 surge to draw level at 71 apiece midway through the third quarter.
Despite trailing by 10 in the opening period, the Bucks never lost touch with their opponents, ensuring a competitive contest throughout. The Celtics’ recent momentum came to a halt as their five-game winning sequence was snapped.
| Team | Top Scorer | Points | Second Leading Scorer | Points | Three-Point Shooting |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Milwaukee Bucks | Kyle Kuzma | 31 | Bobby Portis | 27 | 13 of 29 (44.8%) |
| Boston Celtics | Jaylen Brown | 30 | Jordan Walsh | 20 | 14 of 49 (28.6%) |
Milwaukee’s Record Without Antetokounmpo, Upcoming Fixtures
Milwaukee’s record without Giannis Antetokounmpo, who was missing for the third consecutive contest owing to a strained right calf, improved to 2-7 this season. Antetokounmpo, averaging 28.9 points and 10.1 rebounds, is anticipated to be sidelined for a further two to four weeks.
The Celtics will play host to the Detroit Pistons on Monday, while the Bucks travel to face the Brooklyn Nets on Sunday.
