The Immediate Significance of Kyle Kuzma’s Season High Performance and Bobby Portis’ Efficiency in the Victory Without Antetokounmpo
The Milwaukee Bucks staged a stunning second half rally to defeat the visiting Boston Celtics 116-101 on Thursday night, December 11, 2025. This victory was a major statement for the struggling Bucks, who managed to snap the Celtics’ five game winning streak despite playing without their injured superstar, Giannis Antetokounmpo, who is sidelined with a strained right calf. The win was engineered by exceptional performances from Kyle Kuzma and Bobby Portis, who stepped up to carry the scoring load and provide the necessary defensive energy.
The immediate impact of the win was the dominance displayed by the duo of Kyle Kuzma and Bobby Portis. Kuzma delivered a season high 31 points, spearheading an 11-0 third quarter run that erased a 14 point deficit. Crucially, Portis came off the bench to pour in 27 points and 10 rebounds on a hyper efficient 11-of-13 shooting, including 5-of-6 from beyond the arc. Portis effectively ended the game by sinking back to back corner three pointers early in the fourth quarter to put the Bucks up by double digits, igniting the home crowd. The Bucks also received a triple double from Kevin Porter Jr. (18 points, 10 rebounds, 13 assists), illustrating a total team effort in their star's absence.
The strategic turning point of the game was the Bucks' defensive intensity in the second half, which completely neutralized the Celtics' three point attack. After Boston shot lights out in the first half, leading 67-60, the Bucks’ defense was described by coach Doc Rivers as "phenomenal" in the third quarter. They held the Celtics to just 13 points in the pivotal third frame, turning a seven point deficit into a seven point lead. The Celtics, who thrive on perimeter shooting, went ice cold, finishing the second half a dismal 3-for-26 from three point range, the worst shooting performance of their season. This defensive adjustment proved that the Bucks' supporting cast is capable of stepping up when their two time MVP is out.
Looking ahead, the future outlook for the Bucks is greatly improved by this galvanizing victory, which lifts their record to 11-15 and provides much needed confidence. While the two to four week absence of Giannis Antetokounmpo remains a major concern, the win over the surging Celtics demonstrates that the team possesses the depth and resilience to compete. The Celtics, led by Jaylen Brown's 30 points, must now analyze their late game execution and cold shooting, while the Bucks head into their next matchup with a powerful blueprint for how to win without their superstar: rely on the scoring burst of Kuzma and the bench efficiency of Portis.