The Boston Celtics made history in a game against the Milwaukee Bucks by becoming the first NBA team to not shoot a free throw. The two teams combined for only two free throw attempts, both by Giannis Antetokounmpo. This quick-paced game, played in under two hours, surprised Celtics head coach, Doc Rivers, who only realized the lack of free throws after the game when he looked at the stat sheet. This low number of free throws was a rarity in the NBA, with the previous record of one attempted free throw in a game held by the Memphis Grizzlies and Atlanta Hawks. The trend of fewer foul calls was noticed by Bucks guard Damian Lillard, who remarked on the increasing physicality as teams gear up for the playoffs.
The Celtics star, Jayson Tatum, suggested that the decreased number of foul calls in the game may be a way to prepare teams for the more intense playoff basketball. Only twelve fouls were called throughout the entire game, indicating a shift towards letting players play through more contact. Lillard acknowledged that foul calls have been down across the league towards the end of the season and that players have had to adjust to a more physical style of play. He mentioned instances where he expected to be fouled but wasn’t, highlighting the change in officiating as a part of the evolving landscape of the game.
The Milwaukee Bucks head coach, Doc Rivers, commented on the unusual nature of the game with only two free throws being shot. He jokingly mentioned that he had thought it was halftime stats when he first saw the stat sheet and was surprised to find out that there were only two free throws attempted in the entire game. This record-breaking feat was a notable moment in NBA history, as both teams played a rare game with minimal stoppages due to fouls. The pace of the game and the lack of free throws reflected a trend towards less interruption and more continuous play.
The decrease in foul calls and free throw attempts in the game between the Boston Celtics and the Milwaukee Bucks was noted by players and coaches as a departure from the norm in the NBA. Players like Jayson Tatum and Damian Lillard observed that the trend of fewer fouls being called was becoming more common across the league. This shift towards allowing players to play through more contact and physicality was seen as a preparation for the playoffs, where the intensity and level of competition increase. The game’s quick pace and minimal free throws added a unique element to the matchup and highlighted the changing dynamics of the sport.
Overall, the game between the Boston Celtics and the Milwaukee Bucks made history by being the first NBA game where a team did not shoot a free throw. This record-breaking moment, along with the low number of foul calls, reflected a trend towards more physical play and less interruption in games. Players and coaches alike noted the change in officiating and observed that fewer fouls were being called across the league, leading to a shift in the style of play. As teams gear up for the playoffs, the decrease in foul calls and free throw attempts may become more common as players adapt to a more intense and competitive environment on the court.
