In a historic matchup against the Milwaukee Bucks, the Boston Celtics etched their name in NBA history by becoming the first team to ever play an entire game without shooting a single free throw. The Celtics and Bucks collectively attempted just two free throws, both by Giannis Antetokounmpo.

The game, which lasted under 2 hours, drew praise from Bucks head coach Doc Rivers, who speculated that NBA Commissioner Adam Silver would be pleased with the fast pace. It was only after the game that Rivers discovered the astonishing statistic, admitting he initially believed the two free throws were just halftime numbers. "Two free throws for a basketball game. That's crazy," exclaimed Rivers.

The previous record for the fewest free throw attempts in a game was held by the Memphis Grizzlies and the Atlanta Hawks, who managed only one attempt. Back in 2019, the Indiana Pacers and Orlando Magic combined for a total of 11 free throws.

Celtics' star player Jayson Tatum suggested that the decreased foul calls might be a result of the league gearing up for the playoffs, where physicality tends to be allowed to a greater extent. Tatum's observation was backed by Bucks guard Damian Lillard, who noticed a decline in foul calls across the league in the final stretch of the season.

Lillard described the change as "weird" and acknowledged that fouls seemingly no longer played a significant role in the game. Players experienced instances where they expected foul calls but were surprised when none were made. On the other hand, there were occasions when they made unintentional contact yet escaped a foul call. Lillard concluded, "They're really just letting us play."

In the contest between the Celtics and the Bucks, only twelve fouls were called throughout the entire game, reinforcing the trend of reduced whistle blowing. Fans witnessed a rare display of uninterrupted play as the teams battled it out on the court.

The lack of free throws undoubtedly added a unique element to the game, leaving fans and players alike in awe of the record-breaking feat. As the regular season winds down and the playoffs approach, it remains to be seen whether this trend of fewer foul calls will continue to shape the landscape of NBA basketball.

As teams adapt and adjust to the changing dynamics of the game, future matchups may see a shift towards a more physical style of play, reminiscent of playoff basketball in years past. For now, the Celtics can proudly claim their place in history, redefining what was thought to be an essential aspect of the sport with their groundbreaking performance.