The Boston Celtics play the Milwaukee Bucks at Fiserv Forum on March 2, 2026. The game matters for the standings in the Eastern Conference. Boston has the better record, but several key players are out.Milwaukee could get Giannis Antetokounmpo back after a long absence. Both teams are short-handed, so the result may depend on which group handles the missing pieces better.
Boston Celtics vs Milwaukee Bucks injury report (March 2, 2026)
Boston Celtics will not have Jayson Tatum, who is recovering from right Achilles surgery. Jaylen Brown is out with an illness. Neemias Queta is also out for rest. With no other injuries listed, Derrick White, Jrue Holiday, and Sam Hauser will take on larger roles.Milwaukee has ruled out Taurean Prince with a neck issue. Giannis Antetokounmpo is listed as questionable after missing 15 games with a right calf strain and is expected to be a game-time decision. Alex Antetokounmpo remains out on a G-League assignment. Damian Lillard is still dealing with left Achilles management, and there is no clear update on his status.
Boston Celtics vs Milwaukee Bucks Rosters and likely rotations
Boston’s lineup includes Jrue Holiday at point guard, Derrick White in the backcourt, and Sam Hauser on the wing. Nikola Vucevic has been productive at center, especially on the boards. Payton Pritchard is a key option off the bench. There are no recent changes involving former players like Kristaps Porzingis.Milwaukee’s group includes Giannis Antetokounmpo, Kyle Kuzma, Gary Trent Jr., Bobby Portis, Ryan Rollins, and Myles Turner. Kevin Porter and Gary Harris are part of the guard rotation. The roster reflects recent updates without older names.
Boston Celtics vs Milwaukee Bucks Head-to-head record and last meeting
Boston Celtics leads the all-time regular-season series 122-113 across 235 games. In the playoffs, the Celtics hold a 6-2 edge in series matchups.This season, Milwaukee won the only meeting so far, beating Boston 116-101 on December 11.
Boston Celtics vs Milwaukee Bucks Team stats for the 2025-26 season
| Stat Category | Boston Celtics (40-20, 2nd East) | Milwaukee Bucks (26-32, 11th East) |
| Points Per Game | 115.0 (6th) | 112.1 (27th) |
| Rebounds Per Game | 46.1 (29th) | 41.1 (17th) |
| Assists Per Game | 24.4 (27th) | 26.0 (28th) |
| FG% | 46.7% (3rd) | 48.2% (5th) |
| 3PT% | 36.4% (9th) | 39.1% (2nd) |
| Opp. Points Allowed | 107.4 (1st) | 115.6 (16th) |
| Net Rating | +7.6 (3rd) | -3.5 (22nd) |
Boston allows the fewest points in the league but ranks low in rebounding. Milwaukee shoots well, especially from three, but has not been consistent overall.
What to expect in this game
Boston will rely on its defense, but the missing scorers will be an issue. White and Holiday will need to control the game, and Vucevic’s work on the boards will matter.Also read: Is Giannis Antetokounmpo playing tonight vs the Boston Celtics? Latest update on the Milwaukee Bucks star’s injury report (March 2, 2026)If Giannis plays, even in limited minutes, Milwaukee gets a clear boost. If he does not, players like Kuzma and Portis will need to carry more of the offense. The game starts at 7:30 PM ET.
