The Boston Celtics fell behind by 14 points, then turned Fiserv Forum into a lesson in hustle. Paul George scored 27 points, Jayson Tatum added 21, and Boston stormed past the Milwaukee Bucks 117-97 on Sunday night. The Celtics arrived at 7-2, looking to prove their fast start had real strength. Milwaukee entered at 1-8, hoping its young group could answer after losing to Boston four days earlier.

At first, the Bucks looked ready to write a different ending. Kyle Kuzma drilled three early three-pointers and scored 12 first-quarter points. Tyler Herro hit a pullup jumper, then a step-back three, while Milwaukee’s quick ball movement created open shots. Kuzma’s fifth basket made it 20-6 with 7:05 left in the first quarter.

Boston did not rush. Tatum answered with two three-pointers, and the Celtics used second chances near the hoop to climb back. Mitchell Robinson scored on a tip shot and an alley-oop dunk, helping Boston trim the gap to 27-25 after one quarter. Those extra possessions became the game’s biggest clue. Boston finished with 20 offensive rebounds, meaning it grabbed 20 of its own missed shots and kept attacks alive.

George took over early in the second quarter. He hit a three-pointer to give Boston its first lead, 28-27, then scored on a layup and another long jumper as the Celtics built a 33-27 advantage. Derrick White directed the charge with seven assists and made a three after stealing the ball from Myles Turner. George kept finding space, scoring 19 points before halftime as Boston carried a 58-45 lead into the break.

Milwaukee tried to fight back after halftime. Herro made two free throws, Ryan Rollins hit a three, and Kuzma knocked down another deep shot to pull the Bucks within 74-58. But Boston’s defense shut the door. White blocked Herro’s floater, Tatum stole a pass and raced in for a dunk, and Boston’s big men kept winning the rebound battle. Neemias Queta finished with 13 points, nine rebounds, and five offensive boards, while Robinson made all six of his shots for 12 points and grabbed seven rebounds.

The Celtics pushed the lead to 91-74 by the end of the third. In the fourth, Payton Pritchard buried three three-pointers in less than two minutes, lifting Boston to 100-81. George later hit his fifth three-pointer to make it 109-86, ending any hope of a late Milwaukee charge.

Kuzma finished with 27 points and six three-pointers, while young Bucks Brayden Burries and Nate Ament each scored 12 or more. Yet Milwaukee’s 14 turnovers led to too many Boston chances, and its strong opening faded under Boston’s pressure.

Boston is now 8-2 and heads next to face Philadelphia, carrying another complete team win. Milwaukee falls to 1-9 and will meet New York next, still searching for the steady effort that can turn promising early bursts into full-game success.

Paul George’s 27 Points Turn Boston’s Slow Start Into a 117-97 Win