Milwaukee Bucks Face Sixth Straight Loss in 117-97 Game Against Celtics
The team, now 1-9, has struggled to score in the paint while opponents exploit their perimeter defense.
By Gabriela Ivanov ·
The Milwaukee Bucks fell to the Boston Celtics 117-97 on Sunday night, extending their losing streak to six games. The defeat drops the Bucks to a 1-9 record in the 2026-27 season. The team led 27-25 after the first quarter but trailed by 15 points at halftime. The final margin was one of the largest of their early season slate.
Boston led the league in three-point attempts per game at 47.1 before Sunday. The Celtics made 48 of their 95 three-point shots in the game. Milwaukee attempted 43 three-pointers on 79 total shots. Kyle Kuzma led the Bucks with 27 points, including 6-13 shooting from deep. The team has averaged a 39.1% three-point percentage in its first nine games.
The roster has undergone changes since late October. The Bucks waived guards Kevin Porter Jr., Johni Broome, Pete Nance, Marcus Garrett, and John Stephens between October 17 and 19. Myles Turner, acquired from the Indiana Pacers, is now the subject of trade rumors. His contract exceeds $25 million over the next several years. Turner averages 7.6 points and 5.8 rebounds per game. He stands 6 feet 11 inches tall.
Giannis Antetokounmpo, who was traded to the Miami Heat, averages 27.5 points per game for Miami. The Bucks still pay a portion of his salary. The team’s current starting lineup includes Tyler Herro, Brayden Burries, Kyle Kuzma, Jaime Jaquez Jr., and Ryan Rollins. This group has an average height of 6 feet 4 inches. Kel’el Ware, who stands 7 feet 0 inches, averages 9.6 points and 7.7 rebounds.
The Bucks lost 121-107 to the Toronto Raptors on Friday. They led after two quarters in that game as well. The loss marked their first appearance in the NBA Cup competition. The team went undefeated in the tournament two seasons ago. Tyler Herro scored 23 points and recorded 10 assists in the Toronto game. Brayden Burries grabbed 11 rebounds. Both players were acquired in the trade involving Antetokounmpo and Bobby Portis Jr.
Eight Bucks players average between 20.1 and 31.1 minutes on the court. Three additional bench players record double-digit minutes. The team has been described as having a rigid approach to game planning. Defensive alignments clog the paint effectively, but the team remains vulnerable to long-range shooting. Management has labeled the season a rebuild year.
The Bucks play the Los Angeles Lakers on Wednesday. The team has not adjusted its in-game strategy significantly over the first nine games. The current roster lacks a consistent inside scorer. The next game will test the lineup against a different pace of play.
