The NBA returns to action after a day off for election day in the United States, and it does so with a fixture that not long ago was synonymous with a top-of-the-table showdown in the East. Now, however, a Celtics vs Bucks game looks like a formality for the hosts, who are looking to stay among the best in the conference while their rivals sink towards the bottom. And if things go as expected, tonight will bury them a little deeper.
Celtics vs Bucks date and tip-off time
Date: 4 November 2026, in the early hours of the 5th in UK time.
Time: These are the Celtics vs Bucks start times by time zone.
| United Kingdom | 00:30 |
| Dominican Republic, USA (Boston, New York and Miami), Puerto Rico and Venezuela | 20:30 |
| Mexico (central), USA (Texas and Chicago), El Salvador, Costa Rica and Nicaragua | 19:30 |
| Mexico (Pacific) and USA (Los Angeles) | 17:30 |
| Argentina, Chile, Brazil, Uruguay and Paraguay | 21:30 |
| Colombia, Ecuador, Peru and Panama | 19:30 |
Venue: TD Garden (Boston, Massachusetts)
Celtics vs Bucks starting fives
With both coaches having made recent changes, it is hard to say they won’t tinker further tonight. In fact, Jayson Tatum is doubtful and his presence is not guaranteed, which could open the door to a starting spot for Scheierman. The Bucks, for their part, look set to repeat the lineup that lost in Minnesota, in which rookie Brayden Burries started for the first time.
| Celtics | Bucks |
| Derrick White | Brayden Burries |
| Hugo González | Tyler Herro |
| Paul George | Jaime Jaquez Jr. |
| Baylor Scheierman | Kyle Kuzma |
| Neemias Queta | Myles Turner |
Celtics vs Bucks: best bet
Anything other than a Celtics win would be a huge surprise. While Mazzulla’s side have started the season well, Milwaukee have established themselves as one of the worst teams in the league, and it seems only a night of complacency from the hosts can give them a chance.
Latest Celtics news: absences and form
The Celtics did not need long to dispel the doubts that the opening defeat to the Pistons might have raised. With six straight wins and a Jayson Tatum in stellar form, Mazzulla’s side showed they are still a winning machine and that, in the regular season at least, it will be very hard for them not to stay at the top of the East. Because, although there have been changes, plenty of things that worked brilliantly are still in place.
But in their last game things were somewhat different. A Rockets side who have also started the season at a high level exposed the weaknesses of the Massachusetts team, who, once again, fell victim to their lack of an alternative plan when the outside shooting wasn’t there. We will see whether they manage to fix that as the season progresses.
Player to watch: Paul George
With doubts over Jayson Tatum’s availability, George may have to act as team leader for the first time since his arrival. And although his level so far has been solid, playing alongside an MVP candidate is not the same as having to take the reins of the team. If this ends up being the case, it will be an important test for the forward.
Latest Bucks news: absences and form
The early days of a rebuild can be pretty tough, and the Bucks are feeling it first-hand. The defeats are piling up, and the sense that this is still a project in the making can bring exciting moments but also very frustrating ones. In Milwaukee they already knew this was what lay ahead after Giannis’ departure, but that does not make it any easier to handle losing six of their seven games so far by an average margin of 16 points.
Even so, the recent trip to Minnesota at least allowed them to regain some confidence and feel somewhat competitive again after the heavy defeats to Houston and Cleveland. The aim for the Wisconsin side must be to become one of those teams that, although poor, are uncomfortable to face, and this latest game at least points in the right direction.
Player to watch: Ryan Rollins
Rollins needs to rediscover himself if he doesn’t want to keep losing standing in the team. After seeing Jenkins take his starting spot in the previous game, the guard has to recover the level he showed last season and prove himself as one of the key pieces of the Bucks’ future. And a good performance tonight would be an important first step on that road.
Celtics vs Bucks: head-to-head record
Boston’s dominance over the Bucks in recent years has been absolute. The Celtics have won six of the last seven meetings, and Milwaukee have not won at TD Garden since 2018.
Celtics vs Bucks predictions
Over 26 three-pointers. Both teams tend to shoot a lot from the outside, which could lead to a night with a high volume of three-point baskets.
Milwaukee win the rebounding battle. This is one of the categories in which the Bucks are effective this year, and they will need to make it count.
20+ points from Herro. The guard arrives in great form and putting up good numbers, and tonight he has a chance to do it on one of the NBA’s biggest stages.
Where to watch Celtics vs Bucks
The game between the Boston Celtics and the Milwaukee Bucks will be available in the UK via an NBA League Pass subscription.
