Celtics hand Bucks their first setback

Kyrie Irving scored 28 points, making six of Boston’s franchise record 24 three-pointers, as the Celtics knocked off the last unbeaten team in the NBA with a 117113 victory over the visiting Milwaukee Bucks on Thursday night.

Gordon Hayward added a season-high 18 points for the Celtics, who held off the Bucks (7-1) in the final minute.

Giannis Antetokounmpo returned to the lineup after missing one game while in the NBA’s concussion protocol and led Milwaukee with 33 points and 11 rebounds, but he missed a shot under the basket that would have tied the score with 18 seconds left.

“We still think we are one of the best teams,” Antetokounmpo said. “Tonight we didn’t have an A or B game. Probably a C game, but we were still close to winning the game in Boston.”

Down 15 entering the fourth quarter, the Bucks opened the final period on a 12-0 run and made it a close game the rest of the way.

The Celtics (6-2), whose previous record for three-pointers was 19, came one short of tying the NBA record of 25, set by the Cleveland Cavaliers in a win over the Atlanta Hawks on March 4.

Oklahoma City 111, at Charlotte 107: Russell Westbrook had 29 points, 10 assists and eight rebounds, and the Thunder overcame a 19-point third-quarter deficit. Alex Abrines had 25 points, making five three-pointers for the Thunder, who won their third straight. The Hornets took 41 three-pointers, making only 11.

Denver 110, at Cleveland 91: Juancho Hernangomez scored 23 points and the Nuggets won their third game in a row despite an off night from leading scorer Nikola Jokic. The 7-footer scored four points in 22 minutes and didn’t play in the fourth quarter.

Sacramento 146, at Atlanta 115:

De’Aaron Fox had 31 points, 15 assists and 10 rebounds for his first triple-double, and Kings won their fifth in a row. After leading by only five points at halftime, the Kings outscored the Hawks 46-23 in the third quarter, with Fox getting 21 points in the period.

at Portland 132, New Orleans 119:

Damian Lillard scored 26 points, making four three-pointers, and the Trail Blazers scored at least 30 points in all four quarters. Julius Randle scored 29 points off the bench for the Pelicans, who were without Anthony Davis (elbow).

at Philadelphia 122, Clippers 113