Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) watches the end of the second quarter from the bench against the Boston Celtics at Fiserv Forum. Michael McLoone-Imagn Images

Celtics spoil Giannis Antetokounmpo's Bucks return

By Mike J. Asti | Last updated Mar 3, 2026 1:10 AM ET

With the return of a legend garnering most of the conversation entering Monday's matchup between the Boston Celtics and Milwaukee Bucks, it was a rookie who took over the night.

Spoiling Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo taking the court for the first time in over a month, Celtics rookie Hugo Gonzalez put up a performance that's comparable to Larry Bird in his debut season and led Boston to a convincing 108-81 victory.

Antetokounmpo recorded one of his customary double-doubles, but his 19 points came while shooting only 38.9% from the field, and his production was no match for the Celtics' first-year guard out of Spain.

Hugo Gonzalez dominated on both ends of the floor

Gonzalez, 20, posted a line of 18 points, 16 rebounds, an assist, three steals and two blocks. He shot 46.7% from the field, sinking 7-of-15 shots and even adding three from long range.

Hugo's energy was a force to be reckoned with on both sides of the floor and had a huge impact on winning making him tonight’s @Gatorade Player of the Game pic.twitter.com/zxTdJSv0HO
— Boston Celtics (@celtics) March 3, 2026

Coming into the night averaging only 3.9 points and 3.3 rebounds, Gonzalez's production created a new single-game career-high in points and rebounds.

Boston selected Gonzalez with the 28th overall pick of the NBA Draft, bringing the Spaniard to America after winning two championships in the Liga ACB league of the Spanish Federation.

Boston needed someone else to step up with Jaylen Brown out

While unexpected, Gonzalez's big game was a welcome sign of depth for a Celtics team trying to make a run this season despite being without their normal top player in Jayson Tatum. Jaylen Brown, who's been making a case for league MVP based on his play as the team's lone star with Tatum out, also missed the game with an illness.

Thanks to Gonzalez's career-night, Boston is now 41-20 and five games behind the Detroit Pistons for the No. 1 spot in the Eastern Conference.

Conversely, the Bucks dropped to 26-34, diminishing the benefit of having Antetokounmpo available.

Mike J. Asti

Mike Asti is an experienced media personality and journalist with a vast resume and skillset, most notably from time with TribLIVE Radio and WPXI-TV. Asti now serves as the Managing Editor of WV Sports Now, where he leads the coverage of WVU sports. He has also covered the Steelers, Penguins, Pirates and other teams within the Pittsburgh market

More must-reads: