Pacers Hold Off Bucks Rally to Take 2-0 Series Lead Behind Balanced Attack

INDIANAPOLIS, IN (WE) — April 22, 2025 — The Indiana Pacers withstood a furious late-game push by the Milwaukee Bucks to claim a hard-fought 123-115 victory in Game 2 of their first-round Eastern Conference playoff series at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. The Pacers now hold a 2-0 lead as the series shifts to Milwaukee.

Fueled by an efficient offensive performance and clutch shooting down the stretch, Indiana seized early control and never relinquished the lead, despite several comeback efforts by the Bucks, including a 13-0 fourth-quarter run that narrowed the deficit to just two points.

First Quarter Surge Sets Tone

From the opening tip, Indiana imposed its pace and rhythm on the contest. The Pacers shot a blistering 59.1% from the field in the first quarter, translating sharp ball movement into high-percentage looks and building a 40-30 advantage by the end of the frame.

Pascal Siakam, Tyrese Haliburton, and Myles Turner each contributed early buckets, while Andrew Nembhard orchestrated the offense with precision. Indiana’s offense operated with the kind of cohesion and tempo that left the Bucks struggling to keep up in transition.

“We came out aggressive, set the tone, and played unselfishly,” said Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle. “That first quarter gave us the confidence we needed.”

Pacers Extend Lead, Bucks Struggle to Respond

Indiana’s rhythm continued into the second quarter, with their bench unit contributing meaningful minutes. T.J. McConnell pushed the tempo, Isaiah Jackson provided energy on the boards, and Obi Toppin knocked down a timely three as the Pacers led by as many as 15 points.

Milwaukee, meanwhile, labored to find consistent offense outside of Giannis Antetokounmpo. Brook Lopez offered some interior scoring and strong rim protection, but the Bucks’ perimeter shooting lagged. They finished the first half shooting just 3-for-15 from beyond the arc and trailed 64-54 at intermission.

Doc Rivers, now in his first postseason with the Bucks, tried multiple lineup combinations in the second quarter. But questionable rotation decisions—including extended minutes for Kevin Porter Jr., who struggled with poor shot selection—prevented Milwaukee from gaining traction.

14-2 Third-Quarter Run Reinforces Pacers’ Command

The Pacers opened the second half with a scorching 14-2 run, once again setting the tempo and silencing a potential Bucks resurgence. Siakam and Turner were instrumental during this stretch, attacking mismatches and keeping the floor spaced.

Indiana’s defense, anchored by Turner in the paint and aided by active hands on the perimeter, created turnovers that led to easy transition baskets. Haliburton facilitated throughout, finishing the game with 12 assists.

“Coming out of the half, we knew we had to hit them hard again,” said Haliburton. “We couldn’t let up.”

While the Bucks eventually responded with a modest scoring run of their own, the Pacers entered the fourth quarter up 95-81 and seemingly in control.

Giannis’s Herculean Effort Falls Short

Giannis Antetokounmpo put forth a dominant performance in a losing effort, tallying 34 points, 18 rebounds, and 7 assists. Time and again, he carried the Bucks offensively, attacking the rim with his usual ferocity and crashing the boards on both ends.

In the fourth quarter, Antetokounmpo helped engineer a 13-0 Milwaukee run that cut Indiana’s lead to 111-109 with just under three minutes remaining. A three-pointer by Khris Middleton, followed by a fast-break dunk from Bobby Portis, energized the Bucks bench and brought the game within reach.

“We just kept fighting,” said Antetokounmpo postgame. “It became a game, but we’ve got to be better earlier. Playing from behind all the time isn’t sustainable.”

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Pacers’ Late-Game Poise Secures Win

Despite the mounting pressure, Indiana responded with poise. Following a timeout by Carlisle, the Pacers regrouped, and Siakam knocked down a contested three-pointer to halt Milwaukee’s momentum.

Shortly after, Nembhard drilled a corner triple off a drive-and-kick from Haliburton, effectively sealing the game with 46 seconds left. Nembhard finished with 16 points and 5 assists, while Siakam added 21 points and 7 rebounds.

“I just trusted my shot,” Nembhard said. “We work on those situations all the time. Tyrese drew the defense, and I had to step up.”

Indiana closed the game on a 12-6 run, exploiting Milwaukee’s lack of defensive communication and forcing rushed shots at the other end.

Kevin Porter Jr.’s Struggles Undermine Bucks’ Effort

One of the more controversial aspects of Game 2 was Rivers’ continued reliance on Kevin Porter Jr., despite clear on-court struggles. Porter shot just 2-for-9 from the field, committed three turnovers, and was called for a flagrant foul after a reckless closeout on Haliburton midway through the third quarter.

Ryan Rollins, who played effectively in Game 1, logged only five minutes, further raising questions about Rivers’ backcourt rotation.

“We’ll evaluate everything,” Rivers said when asked about Porter’s performance. “It’s a long series, and we’re going to need everyone to step up.”

Team Analysis: Efficiency vs. Inconsistency

Indiana Pacers
The Pacers’ offensive efficiency was the defining trait of Game 2. They shot 53.8% from the field and 39.4% from three-point range, with seven players scoring in double figures. Indiana committed just 9 turnovers and outscored Milwaukee 26-10 in fast-break points.

Their ability to respond to Bucks’ runs and execute in high-leverage moments highlighted a level of maturity not often seen from a relatively young playoff team.

Milwaukee Bucks
In contrast, the Bucks continued to show signs of offensive inconsistency and defensive breakdowns. Despite 25 points from Middleton and 18 from Portis, Milwaukee shot just 44.2% from the field and 31.8% from three. Their defense allowed too many second-chance opportunities and struggled to contain Indiana’s ball movement.

The Bucks were also plagued by poor bench production—outside of Portis—and questionable decision-making in critical moments.

Coaching Decisions Under the Microscope

Rick Carlisle’s rotations proved effective once again, balancing offensive firepower with defensive versatility. His trust in the bench, particularly in McConnell and Toppin, provided valuable rest for starters without sacrificing momentum.

Doc Rivers, however, faces growing scrutiny for his deployment of Kevin Porter Jr. and his limited use of players who had proven effective in Game 1. The Bucks’ defensive schemes were often slow to adjust, allowing Indiana to exploit mismatches and weak-side coverage.

Quotes from the Postgame Pressers

Rick Carlisle (Pacers):
“We know how dangerous Milwaukee is. That’s a former champion over there. But we’re locked in. This was a team effort, and we’ll need another one on the road.”

Doc Rivers (Bucks):
“We gave them too many open looks, and they made us pay. We’ve got to be better defensively. Giannis can’t do it alone.”

Giannis Antetokounmpo (Bucks):
“It’s 2-0, but it’s not over. We go back to Milwaukee, and we fight. Simple.”

Pascal Siakam (Pacers):
“I’ve been in these games before. You’ve got to stay calm, stay ready. Big shots come when you trust your teammates.”

Looking Ahead: Series Shifts to Milwaukee

With the series now tilting heavily in Indiana’s favor, the pressure is squarely on Milwaukee to respond in Game 3. The Bucks have the experience and the star power, but without tactical adjustments and improved bench performance, they risk falling into a 3-0 deficit—a hole no team has ever climbed out of in NBA history.

Game 3 is set for Friday, April 25, at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, where the Bucks hope home-court energy can revive their playoff hopes.

For Indiana, the mission remains simple: stay aggressive, stay balanced, and stay focused.

“We’re not satisfied,” Haliburton said. “We came here to win, and we’re going to keep pushing.”

Game 2 Box Score Highlights

Key Player Stats:

• Giannis Antetokounmpo (MIL): 34 PTS, 18 REB, 7 AST
• Pascal Siakam (IND): 21 PTS, 7 REB, 1 STL
• Andrew Nembhard (IND): 16 PTS, 5 AST, 2 3PM
• Tyrese Haliburton (IND): 14 PTS, 12 AST
• Bobby Portis (MIL): 18 PTS, 7 REB
• Brook Lopez (MIL): 10 PTS, 3 BLK

Up Next:

• Game 3: Friday, April 25
  Location: Fiserv Forum, Milwaukee
  Time: 7:30 PM ET
  Broadcast: ESPN / Bally Sports Midwest