Jaylen Brown made his return after missing four games due to injury, helping the Boston Celtics defeat the Milwaukee Bucks on Sunday. This was the second time this season that the Celtics beat the defending champions.
During the game, Brown and Milwaukee’s Giannis Antetokounmpo had a few intense moments as they competed hard against each other. Early on, Brown and Giannis were battling for control, and at one point, after a tough defensive play by the Bucks, Giannis reached his hand out to Brown for a handshake but quickly pulled it back before they could shake hands.
After the game, Brown smiled and called Giannis “a child.”
It’s important to note that Brown’s comment was made in a lighthearted way. There was no ill will behind it. Instead, it was just two competitive players having some fun after a hard-fought game. This kind of back-and-forth is part of what makes the NBA so entertaining early in the season.
However, things are not as fun for the Bucks right now. Their loss to Boston was their eighth in the first 10 games, and they are now ranked 14th in the Eastern Conference, 8.5 games behind the first-place Cleveland Cavaliers.
Despite all the joking, the Bucks’ situation is serious. The team is struggling, and the mood in their locker room is likely tense. On the other hand, things are going much better in Boston. Despite missing Kristaps Porzingis at the start of the season and dealing with injuries to Brown and Sam Hauser, Joe Mazzulla’s team has kept finding ways to win.
Sunday’s game was a clear example of how the two teams have started the season. Even though Milwaukee got off to a strong start with a 16-2 lead, Boston bounced back and took control by the end of the third quarter.
While Giannis might keep a cheerful attitude on the court, off the court, he has to be concerned about how things are going for the Bucks. Nothing seems to be working for them right now, and if things don’t improve, their season could be over much earlier than expected.
