Events

Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Bucks are coming to town as champions

Arlington's Pat Connaughton returns, too, as the Celtics try to measure up against the NBA's reigning kings.

1 minute to read

If one were to make a list of NBA players who are alone worth the price of admission, a pretty good portion of those names would be showing up on the guest list at TD Garden between now and the new year. And the first to come through might be the most thrilling of them all: Giannis Antetokounmpo.

The Bucks’ title defense hasn’t gotten off to quite the start Milwaukee might’ve been hoping for, but its transcendent superstar has still been sensational, and has the potential to provide a highlight on any play — at either end of the floor. In 2020 he was the league’s defensive player of the year in addition to its most valuable player, and with his freakish athleticism his greatest asset at the offensive end his ability to explode toward the rim all but ensures his stop in Boston is likely to feature at least one crowd-stopping dunk.

His teammates aren’t bad, either, with All-Stars Jrue Holiday and Khris Middleton joining Antetokounmpo among Milwaukee’s primary triumvirate, and with Arlington’s own Pat Connaughton coming back to take on his hometown team. The St. John’s Prep product is no stranger to the Garden, having played there in high school, and several times as a pro — but this will be the first time he returns an NBA champion.

And thus, if his old buddies are trying to buy their way into the building, they’ll pay accordingly. About a week out from tip, tickets were going for upwards of $80. That’s about five times the get-in price for the lower-interest game against the Raptors just a few days before.