Bucks show their 'ferociousness,' fire and potential in loss to Celtics
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Bucks show their 'ferociousness,' fire and potential in loss to Celtics
Jim Owczarski, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel·Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
·
6 min read
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BOSTON – Looking back on eight games in a young season, which now includes seven losses after a 109-102 defeat at the hands of the Boston Celtics on Nov. 4, theMilwaukee Buckscan take a piece from each and legitimately say, "Look, if we do this, it leads to success."
Of course, pieces from different games don't lead to victories. That's the difficult part of building anything. One nail, one brick, one slotted strut do not a house make. But right now, the Bucks have to recognize those pieces and try to pull them together the next time they get on the court.
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In Boston, the Bucks will have to take the fact they rallied back from a 22-point first half deficit in TD Garden to take a brief lead and have a chance to win in the final minutes.
"It's important," Bucks forward Jaime Jaquez Jr. said of those small victories. "It's important to grow as a group. I'm not one for all moral victories. We want to win the game at the end of the day, but at some point we gotta lay the brick down. So, every single game we're going to take some positives, take some negatives and continue to grow and get better every single day."
There was a bigger takeaway from the comeback, however.
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Jaquez:"I think we just came out with a different mentality, different fire. I think a lot of us were just sick and tired of being sick and tired. And we just came out with a tenacity, a ferociousness that was really great to see. We just gotta figure out how to keep that for a full 48."
Tyler Herro:"I think coming out with a better disposition as a team, or as a starting five, really, we gotta come out with better energy. I feel like honestly in the first quarter we've been good for the most part in the first five to six games, but it's again, being able to sustain that and kind of figuring out what our identity is. This season is still early, but we gotta be one of the hardest playing teams in the league. We don't have the best talent. We're not like, a huge, talented team, so how can we get advantages? It's playing hard."
Ryan Rollins:"Just intensity, control the controllables. You can't control the ball going in but you can control your effort on defense and picking up, tagging up, making it tough for them to get rebounds. Taking pride on the defensive end a little bit more. Just not letting them get going. Like, take offense to somebody scoring on you. It's something if we take that into each and every quarter, each and every half, each and every game, I think that would more so ignite the fire of the defensive end."
Coming out of Boston, the team clearly has a vision what this seasoncouldlook like, it's just a matter of being able to get all of the tools working together immediately, and throughout a game.
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"I think Myles [Turner] said it best, we're telling on ourselves – wecando it," Jaquez said. "We're very capable. We just gotta trust and believe in one another and continue to study to the film and understand what works and just commit to our game plan. It's things that are a lot easier said than done, but we proved that we can do it. So that's a great sign for us."
Herro led the Bucks with 25 points while Turner had 12 points, nine rebounds and six assists. Jaquez had 18 points while Rollins added 13 points, nine rebounds and five assists off the bench.
Boston, playing without star Jayson Tatum, was led by Paul George (25 points) and Derrick White (24).
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - NOVEMBER 04: Paul George #13 of the Boston Celtics dribbles against AJ Green #20 of the Milwaukee Bucks during the first quarter at TD Garden on November 04, 2026 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
Bucks coach focused on second half rally
The Bucks wholly erased the massive first half deficit and took a 92-91 lead on a Nate Ament free throw with 6 minutes, 50 seconds to go in the game but couldn't build on that down the stretch. Milwaukee tied the game again with under four minutes to go, but the Boston took a 99-97 lead on a Neemias Queta bucket.
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Then, the Celtics recovered a loose ball after a scramble between Turner and Queta popped the ball free, and that led to a three-point play by White. The five-point margin was then too much to overcome in the final minutes for Milwaukee.
"Obviously they made some plays, but [we] cannot overlook the fact that we were down 22 to the Celtics and took the lead – I'm way more focused on that," Bucks coach Taylor Jenkins said. "We put ourselves in position to win the game. The resilience, the fight our guys had in the second half, the defensive intensity, the ball movement. Obviously we started making some shots but just the energy, the life was there. Our guys responded at halftime down 20-plus in a very tough environment against a team that was playing extremely well. A lot of growth, a lot of progress here and we'll figure out how to close out a game. But this was awesome by our group."
Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell (45) guards Milwaukee Bucks forward Jaime Jaquez Jr. (24) during the first half of their game Saturday, Oct. 31, 2026 at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The Cleveland Cavaliers beat the Milwaukee Bucks 136-111.
(Mark Hoffman/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)
Milwaukee Brewers Jackson Chourio, left, and Cooper Pratt toss signed baseball into the crowd during the first half of the Milwaukee Bucks game against the Cleveland Cavaliers Saturday, Oct. 31, 2026 at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
(Mark Hoffman/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)
Cleveland Cavaliers center Jarrett Allen (31) tries to block a shot by Milwaukee Bucks center Myles Turner (3) during the first half of their game Saturday, Oct. 31, 2026 at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
(Mark Hoffman/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)
Milwaukee Bucks center Myles Turner (3) blocks a shot by Cleveland Cavaliers guard James Harden (1) during the second half of their game Saturday, Oct. 31, 2026 at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The Cleveland Cavaliers beat the Milwaukee Bucks 136-111.
(Mark Hoffman/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)
Milwaukee Bucks guard Brayden Burries (0) dunks on Cleveland Cavaliers forward Tristan Enaruna (21) during the second half of their game Saturday, Oct. 31, 2026 at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The Cleveland Cavaliers beat the Milwaukee Bucks 136-111.
(Mark Hoffman/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)
Milwaukee Bucks forward Nate Ament (15) drives past Cleveland Cavaliers guard Craig Porter Jr. (9) during the second half of their game Saturday, Oct. 31, 2026 at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The Cleveland Cavaliers beat the Milwaukee Bucks 136-111.
(Mark Hoffman/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)
Milwaukee Bucks guard Ryan Rollins (13) drives to the basket during the second half of their game Saturday, Oct. 31, 2026 at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The Cleveland Cavaliers beat the Milwaukee Bucks 136-111.
(Mark Hoffman/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)
Milwaukee Bucks forward Jaime Jaquez Jr. (24) is fouled by Cleveland Cavaliers guard Peyton Watson (8) during the second half of their game Saturday, Oct. 31, 2026 at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The Cleveland Cavaliers beat the Milwaukee Bucks 136-111.
(Mark Hoffman/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)
Milwaukee Bucks center Myles Turner (3) is double-teamed by Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell (45) and center Evan Mobley (4) during the second half of their game Saturday, Oct. 31, 2026 at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The Cleveland Cavaliers beat the Milwaukee Bucks 136-111.
(Mark Hoffman/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)
Milwaukee Bucks guard Tyler Herro (11) drives to the basket during the second half of their game Saturday, Oct. 31, 2026 at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The Cleveland Cavaliers beat the Milwaukee Bucks 136-111.
(Mark Hoffman/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)
Milwaukee Bucks guard Brayden Burries (0) shoots over Cleveland Cavaliers guard Meleek Thomas (15) during the first half of their game Saturday, Oct. 31, 2026 at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The Cleveland Cavaliers beat the Milwaukee Bucks 136-111.
(Mark Hoffman/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)
Cleveland Cavaliers forward Mario Hezonja (33) scores Milwaukee Bucks center Kel'el Ware (9) during the first half of their game Saturday, Oct. 31, 2026 at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The Cleveland Cavaliers beat the Milwaukee Bucks 136-111.
(Mark Hoffman/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)
Cleveland Cavaliers guard Peyton Watson (8) fouls Milwaukee Bucks guard Kasparas Jakucionis (25) during the first half of their game Saturday, Oct. 31, 2026 at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The Cleveland Cavaliers beat the Milwaukee Bucks 136-111.
(Mark Hoffman/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)
Milwaukee Bucks guard Brayden Burries (0) hits a three-point shot during the first half of their game Saturday, Oct. 31, 2026 at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The Cleveland Cavaliers beat the Milwaukee Bucks 136-111.
(Mark Hoffman/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)
Milwaukee Bucks guard Tyler Herro (11) is fouled by Cleveland Cavaliers guard Peyton Watson (8) during the first half of their game Saturday, Oct. 31, 2026 at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The Cleveland Cavaliers beat the Milwaukee Bucks 136-111.
(Mark Hoffman/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)
Milwaukee Bucks forward Kyle Kuzma (18) scores on Cleveland Cavaliers center Evan Mobley (4) during the first half of their game Saturday, Oct. 31, 2026 at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The Cleveland Cavaliers beat the Milwaukee Bucks 136-111.
(Mark Hoffman/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)
Cleveland Cavaliers center Jarrett Allen (31) guards Milwaukee Bucks guard Kasparas Jakucionis (25) during the first half of their game Saturday, Oct. 31, 2026 at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
(Mark Hoffman/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)
Milwaukee Brewers Jackson Chourio, second from left, and Cooper Pratt are shown during the first half of the Milwaukee Bucks game against the Cleveland Cavaliers Saturday, Oct. 31, 2026 at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
(Mark Hoffman/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)
Mallory Edens, daughter of Milwaukee Bucks co-owner Wes Edens, is shown during the second half of their game Saturday, Oct. 31, 2026 at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The Cleveland Cavaliers beat the Milwaukee Bucks 136-111.
(Mark Hoffman/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)
Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Dustin May is shown during the second half of Milwaukee Bucks game against the Cleveland Cavaliers Saturday, Oct. 31, 2026 at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The Cavaliers beat the Bucks 136-111.
(Mark Hoffman/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)
Milwaukee Bucks head coach Taylor Jenkins is shown during the second half of their game Saturday, Oct. 31, 2026 at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The Cleveland Cavaliers beat the Milwaukee Bucks 136-111.
(Mark Hoffman/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)
Milwaukee Brewers general manager Matt Arnold is shown during the second half of their game Saturday, Oct. 31, 2026 at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The Cleveland Cavaliers beat the Milwaukee Bucks 136-111.
(Mark Hoffman/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)
Milwaukee Bucks head coach Taylor Jenkins talks with guard Ryan Rollins (13) during the second half of their game Saturday, Oct. 31, 2026 at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The Cleveland Cavaliers beat the Milwaukee Bucks 136-111.
(Mark Hoffman/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)
1/23
Photos: Milwaukee Bucks vs. Cleveland Cavaliers
Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell (45) guards Milwaukee Bucks forward Jaime Jaquez Jr. (24) during the first half of their game Saturday, Oct. 31, 2026 at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The Cleveland Cavaliers beat the Milwaukee Bucks 136-111.
(Mark Hoffman/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)
1/23
Photos: Milwaukee Bucks vs. Cleveland Cavaliers
Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell (45) guards Milwaukee Bucks forward Jaime Jaquez Jr. (24) during the first half of their game Saturday, Oct. 31, 2026 at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The Cleveland Cavaliers beat the Milwaukee Bucks 136-111.
(Mark Hoffman/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)
2/23
Photos: Milwaukee Bucks vs. Cleveland Cavaliers
Milwaukee Brewers Jackson Chourio, left, and Cooper Pratt toss signed baseball into the crowd during the first half of the Milwaukee Bucks game against the Cleveland Cavaliers Saturday, Oct. 31, 2026 at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
(Mark Hoffman/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)
3/23
Photos: Milwaukee Bucks vs. Cleveland Cavaliers
Cleveland Cavaliers center Jarrett Allen (31) tries to block a shot by Milwaukee Bucks center Myles Turner (3) during the first half of their game Saturday, Oct. 31, 2026 at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
(Mark Hoffman/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)
4/23
Photos: Milwaukee Bucks vs. Cleveland Cavaliers
Milwaukee Bucks center Myles Turner (3) blocks a shot by Cleveland Cavaliers guard James Harden (1) during the second half of their game Saturday, Oct. 31, 2026 at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The Cleveland Cavaliers beat the Milwaukee Bucks 136-111.
(Mark Hoffman/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)
5/23
Photos: Milwaukee Bucks vs. Cleveland Cavaliers
Milwaukee Bucks guard Brayden Burries (0) dunks on Cleveland Cavaliers forward Tristan Enaruna (21) during the second half of their game Saturday, Oct. 31, 2026 at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The Cleveland Cavaliers beat the Milwaukee Bucks 136-111.
(Mark Hoffman/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)
6/23
Photos: Milwaukee Bucks vs. Cleveland Cavaliers
Milwaukee Bucks forward Nate Ament (15) drives past Cleveland Cavaliers guard Craig Porter Jr. (9) during the second half of their game Saturday, Oct. 31, 2026 at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The Cleveland Cavaliers beat the Milwaukee Bucks 136-111.
(Mark Hoffman/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)
7/23
Photos: Milwaukee Bucks vs. Cleveland Cavaliers
Milwaukee Bucks guard Ryan Rollins (13) drives to the basket during the second half of their game Saturday, Oct. 31, 2026 at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The Cleveland Cavaliers beat the Milwaukee Bucks 136-111.
(Mark Hoffman/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)
8/23
Photos: Milwaukee Bucks vs. Cleveland Cavaliers
Milwaukee Bucks forward Jaime Jaquez Jr. (24) is fouled by Cleveland Cavaliers guard Peyton Watson (8) during the second half of their game Saturday, Oct. 31, 2026 at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The Cleveland Cavaliers beat the Milwaukee Bucks 136-111.
(Mark Hoffman/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)
9/23
Photos: Milwaukee Bucks vs. Cleveland Cavaliers
Milwaukee Bucks center Myles Turner (3) is double-teamed by Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell (45) and center Evan Mobley (4) during the second half of their game Saturday, Oct. 31, 2026 at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The Cleveland Cavaliers beat the Milwaukee Bucks 136-111.
(Mark Hoffman/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)
10/23
Photos: Milwaukee Bucks vs. Cleveland Cavaliers
Milwaukee Bucks guard Tyler Herro (11) drives to the basket during the second half of their game Saturday, Oct. 31, 2026 at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The Cleveland Cavaliers beat the Milwaukee Bucks 136-111.
(Mark Hoffman/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)
11/23
Photos: Milwaukee Bucks vs. Cleveland Cavaliers
Milwaukee Bucks guard Brayden Burries (0) shoots over Cleveland Cavaliers guard Meleek Thomas (15) during the first half of their game Saturday, Oct. 31, 2026 at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The Cleveland Cavaliers beat the Milwaukee Bucks 136-111.
(Mark Hoffman/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)
12/23
Photos: Milwaukee Bucks vs. Cleveland Cavaliers
Cleveland Cavaliers forward Mario Hezonja (33) scores Milwaukee Bucks center Kel'el Ware (9) during the first half of their game Saturday, Oct. 31, 2026 at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The Cleveland Cavaliers beat the Milwaukee Bucks 136-111.
(Mark Hoffman/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)
13/23
Photos: Milwaukee Bucks vs. Cleveland Cavaliers
Cleveland Cavaliers guard Peyton Watson (8) fouls Milwaukee Bucks guard Kasparas Jakucionis (25) during the first half of their game Saturday, Oct. 31, 2026 at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The Cleveland Cavaliers beat the Milwaukee Bucks 136-111.
(Mark Hoffman/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)
14/23
Photos: Milwaukee Bucks vs. Cleveland Cavaliers
Milwaukee Bucks guard Brayden Burries (0) hits a three-point shot during the first half of their game Saturday, Oct. 31, 2026 at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The Cleveland Cavaliers beat the Milwaukee Bucks 136-111.
(Mark Hoffman/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)
15/23
Photos: Milwaukee Bucks vs. Cleveland Cavaliers
Milwaukee Bucks guard Tyler Herro (11) is fouled by Cleveland Cavaliers guard Peyton Watson (8) during the first half of their game Saturday, Oct. 31, 2026 at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The Cleveland Cavaliers beat the Milwaukee Bucks 136-111.
(Mark Hoffman/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)
16/23
Photos: Milwaukee Bucks vs. Cleveland Cavaliers
Milwaukee Bucks forward Kyle Kuzma (18) scores on Cleveland Cavaliers center Evan Mobley (4) during the first half of their game Saturday, Oct. 31, 2026 at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The Cleveland Cavaliers beat the Milwaukee Bucks 136-111.
(Mark Hoffman/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)
17/23
Photos: Milwaukee Bucks vs. Cleveland Cavaliers
Cleveland Cavaliers center Jarrett Allen (31) guards Milwaukee Bucks guard Kasparas Jakucionis (25) during the first half of their game Saturday, Oct. 31, 2026 at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
(Mark Hoffman/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)
18/23
Photos: Milwaukee Bucks vs. Cleveland Cavaliers
Milwaukee Brewers Jackson Chourio, second from left, and Cooper Pratt are shown during the first half of the Milwaukee Bucks game against the Cleveland Cavaliers Saturday, Oct. 31, 2026 at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
(Mark Hoffman/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)
19/23
Photos: Milwaukee Bucks vs. Cleveland Cavaliers
Mallory Edens, daughter of Milwaukee Bucks co-owner Wes Edens, is shown during the second half of their game Saturday, Oct. 31, 2026 at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The Cleveland Cavaliers beat the Milwaukee Bucks 136-111.
(Mark Hoffman/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)
20/23
Photos: Milwaukee Bucks vs. Cleveland Cavaliers
Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Dustin May is shown during the second half of Milwaukee Bucks game against the Cleveland Cavaliers Saturday, Oct. 31, 2026 at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The Cavaliers beat the Bucks 136-111.
(Mark Hoffman/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)
21/23
Photos: Milwaukee Bucks vs. Cleveland Cavaliers
Milwaukee Bucks head coach Taylor Jenkins is shown during the second half of their game Saturday, Oct. 31, 2026 at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The Cleveland Cavaliers beat the Milwaukee Bucks 136-111.
(Mark Hoffman/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)
22/23
Photos: Milwaukee Bucks vs. Cleveland Cavaliers
Milwaukee Brewers general manager Matt Arnold is shown during the second half of their game Saturday, Oct. 31, 2026 at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The Cleveland Cavaliers beat the Milwaukee Bucks 136-111.
(Mark Hoffman/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)
23/23
Photos: Milwaukee Bucks vs. Cleveland Cavaliers
Milwaukee Bucks head coach Taylor Jenkins talks with guard Ryan Rollins (13) during the second half of their game Saturday, Oct. 31, 2026 at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The Cleveland Cavaliers beat the Milwaukee Bucks 136-111.
(Mark Hoffman/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)
Bucks off to one of worst starts in franchise history
The Bucks are1-7,and they are just the third team in franchise history to start a season with that record (1974-75 and1993-94). The 1974-75 season was the first after tradingKareem Abdul-Jabbarand this is the first after tradingGiannis Antetokounmpo.
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The 1974-75 team had the organization's worst opening stretch, beginning 1-11 before ending November at 6-14.
The 1993-94 team went 1-10 to start the season and ended November with a 2-12 record.
The worst overall season in franchise history was the tanking 2013-14 campaign in which the Bucks won 15 games. That Bucks team, which featured arookie Antetokounmpo,started 2-2 before finishing November with a 3-13 mark.
5 numbers
0:Games missed by Bucks players on the 15-man guaranteed roster due to injury. Milwaukee has been one of the healthiest teams, if notthehealthiest, in the NBA to date.
6:Assists for Myles Turner, matching his career high. He handed out that many twice before in the regular season, first in 2016-17 and again 2017-18 as a member of the Indiana Pacers.
19:Three-pointers made by Milwaukee, which tied a season high.
30:Points in the paint for the Bucks, a season low. Their previous low was the 42 scored in Minnesota on Nov. 2.
50:Percent shooting for Ryan Rollins, as he went 5 of 10 from the field for 13 points. Rollins came into the game shooting just 34.5% overall.
