Pacers Roll to 129-103 Victory in Game 4 to Take 3-1 Lead After Bucks Lose Lillard to Injury

MILWAUKEE (WE) — The Indiana Pacers took a commanding 3-1 lead in their Eastern Conference playoff series against the Milwaukee Bucks on Sunday night, securing a dominant 129-103 victory. The win came at a significant cost to the Bucks, who saw star guard Damian Lillard exit early due to a lower left leg injury. This setback now puts the Bucks in a challenging position as they face the prospect of elimination in Game 5, which will take place on Tuesday in Indianapolis.

Pacers Dominate the Bucks

Myles Turner led the charge for Indiana, scoring 23 points and anchoring the Pacers’ explosive offensive performance. Indiana shot an impressive 60.2% from the floor, with eight players scoring in double figures. The Pacers dominated even without Bennedict Mathurin, who missed the game due to an abdominal bruise.

Tyrese Haliburton played a key role, contributing 17 points and 15 assists. Aaron Nembhard scored 20 points, while T.J. McConnell finished with 15. Aaron Nesmith and Obi Toppin added 14 and 13 points, respectively. Pascal Siakam and Jarace Walker each scored 12 points, showcasing the depth of Indiana’s roster.

Milwaukee struggled to keep pace after losing Lillard. The Bucks trailed 15-12 when Lillard suffered a non-contact injury midway through the first quarter. Teammates helped him off the court and into the locker room. Preliminary evaluations indicated a possible Achilles tendon injury, but the team planned further assessment on Monday.

Lillard Injury Diminishes Bucks’ Chances

Without their star guard, Milwaukee turned to Giannis Antetokounmpo, who continued to battle hard. Antetokounmpo finished with 28 points, 15 rebounds, and six assists, but he was the only Bucks starter to score more than six points.

Kevin Porter Jr. added 23 points, but the Bucks struggled to find offensive support from other key players, including Kyle Kuzma, who managed just three points on 1-of-6 shooting.

The injury to Lillard put Milwaukee in a tough spot. The Bucks now face the possibility of being eliminated in the first round for a second consecutive year. The Pacers have already shown their ability to dominate at home, winning five straight games in Indianapolis, including the last two in this series.

Pacers Seize Control After Lillard’s Exit

With Lillard on the bench, the Pacers seized control of the game. Indiana went on a 10-3 run after his departure, extending their lead to double digits. Milwaukee couldn’t reduce the margin to under five points for the rest of the first half, and the Pacers led 63-52 at halftime.

Indiana continued to control the game in the second half, shooting a scorching 69.2% from the floor. As the Pacers extended their lead, Milwaukee found themselves unable to respond, and the game slipped further out of their reach.

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Chippy Series Continues

The tension between the teams remained high throughout the game. A double technical foul was called on Kevin Porter Jr. and Aaron Nesmith in the second quarter after some physical play. Later, Milwaukee’s Bobby Portis received a taunting foul in the third period after standing over Nesmith, who had fallen while driving to the basket.

The heated exchanges continued in the third period when Jarace Walker and Milwaukee’s Ryan Rollins were both assessed a double technical foul. The series continues to showcase the intense rivalry and competitive nature between the two teams.

A Closer Look at the Playoff Picture

The Pacers’ dominant win puts them in a strong position to close out the series in Game 5 on Tuesday night at the Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. A victory would send Indiana to the second round, where they would face the winner of the Miami Heat vs. Boston Celtics series.

For the Bucks, losing Lillard (pending further evaluation) would severely affect their chances. With Giannis Antetokounmpo leading the charge, Milwaukee will need to dig deep and rely on contributions from their other players to extend their season.

Final Box Score Highlights

What’s Next for Both Teams

The Pacers will aim to close out the series in Game 5, seeking to eliminate the Bucks and advance to the next round. The loss of Lillard will make it even harder for Milwaukee to bounce back, and the Bucks will need a collective effort from their roster to survive.

The Pacers, on the other hand, will be looking to carry this momentum forward and solidify their position as a serious playoff contender. If they can continue playing this well, they might just make a deeper playoff run than many expected.

Final Thoughts

With Game 5 approaching, the Pacers can eliminate the Bucks and cap off a strong playoff run. The loss of Damian Lillard puts Milwaukee in a tough position. While Giannis Antetokounmpo will give it his all, the Bucks need big contributions from others to avoid an early exit. Meanwhile, the Pacers are playing their best basketball and could be primed for a deep playoff run.

As both teams gear up for Game 5, the series’ fate is uncertain. Can Indiana finish the job, or will Milwaukee find a way to extend their postseason hopes?