Celtics Survive Late Stampede From Bucks, Win 109-102

The Celtics led the Bucks by as many as 22 points on Wednesday night before the Bucks made a big comeback and briefly took the lead in the fourth. Thankfully for Boston, Paul George and Derrick White saved the day as the Celtics held on with a 109-102 win.

Jayson Tatum did not play in this game for the Celtics and Boston started Derrick White, Sam Hauser, Paul George, Hugo Gonzalez and Neemias Queta. Devin Carter was still out with mono as well. Meanwhile, the Bucks started Tyler Herro, Brayden Burries, Kyle Kuzma, Jaine Jacquez Jr. and Myles Turner and were only missing two-way player Kam Jones.

The Celtics got off to a quick start, going up 19-8 mid way through the first quarter. After Sam Hauser hit the first two shots of the game, Paul George scored 7 of the next 13 Celtics points.

The Celtics led after the first quarter 28-14. Paul George led the way with 10 points and 3 steals while playing the entire quarter. Mitchell Robinson also had 6 rebounds off of the bench.

Boston got off to a good start in the 2nd quarter as Payton Pritchard had a few baskets. It was good to see Payton Pritchard be aggressive on his first shot as well. However, a pair of Bucks threes leading to a 6-2 run lead to Joe Mazzulla calling his mandatory timeout.

The offense picked up in the 2nd quarter, as Boston led 62-41 at the half. Luka Garza led the way with 11 points and 5 rebounds while Derrick White had 9 points, 4 assists and 3 rebounds.

It was good to see the Celtics three point shooting get going, they were 10/17 in the first half after being 30% in their last 4 games, according to the NBC Sports Boston broadcast.

Boston came out flat in the 2nd half and Milwaukee took advantage. The Bucks went on a 12-5 run to open the 3rd quarter and Joe Mazzulla called a timeout. Jamie Jaquez Jr. had 5 points and Tyler Herro had 4 points during the run for Milwaukee.

The Bucks made 10 of their first 12 shots in the quarter and cut the Celtics led to 7. Back-to-back key Baylor Scheierman threes grew Boston’s lead back to 13 as Milwaukee called timeout.

Payton Pritchard left the game with an right eye abrasion and he did not return to the game.

It was Tyler Herro’s quarter, he had 17 points on 6/8 from the field and 2/2 from three in the 3rd quarter.

The Celtics did lead the Bucks at the end of three but what was a 21-point game at halftime was just an 8-point lead entering the fourth. Paul George’s 16 points, 4 assists and 2 steals led the way for Boston.

The Bucks opened the fourth quarter on a 10-4 run and forced Joe Mazzulla to call another timeout.

Milwaukee took their first lead with 6:50 to go in the game but Boston fought back and took a 3 point lead as Taylor Jenkins called timeout.

Neemias Queta block -> PG drive and layup -> Bucks timeout https://t.co/PTzofrN8Py

— Nik Land | NikNBA???? (@NIKNBAYT) November 5, 2026

The Celtics struggled score as they missed Tatum and Pritchard a lot. It felt like Paul George was their only source of offense late in the game.

George then stepped up to the line with under 4 minutes left and missed both free throws in a tie game.

The Celtics were able to go on a 7-0 run thank to 5 points from Derrick White to take a 104-97 lead, which Tyler Herro cut to 104-99 with two made free throws.

Paul George hit a clutch 3 to put the Celtics up 8, Ryan Rollins hit a 3 and the Bucks had a few looks to cut the Celtics lead to 2 with just over 30 seconds to go but they missed both.

Two Derrick White free throws iced it and the Celtics hung on, 109-102. George’s 25 points and White’s 24 points led the way for the Celtics.

Boston shot 41% from the field and 41% from three while Milwaukee shot 41% from the field and 40% from three. The Celtics next game is an NBA Cup game in Charlotte at 7 pm EST on Friday night.