Giannis Antetokounmpo delivered a stellar performance on Friday night, recording 37 points, 11 assists, and 10 rebounds to lead the Milwaukee Bucks to a 129-117 victory over the Indiana Pacers. This marks Antetokounmpo’s second triple-double in his last four games, showcasing his dominance early in the season.
Bucks Maintain Momentum
Antetokounmpo’s supporting cast also stepped up, with Damian Lillard contributing 24 points and 12 assists. Gary Trent Jr. scored a season-high 18 points, and Bobby Portis added 17. The Bucks have now won three straight games and five of their last six, improving their record to 2-0 in NBA Cup action.
Pacers Struggle to Find Form
Despite solid efforts from Pascal Siakam (25 points), Bennedict Mathurin (20 points), and Tyrese Haliburton (18 points and nine assists), the Pacers couldn’t keep pace with the Bucks. Indiana has lost three straight games and five of their last six, falling to 0-2 in East Group B of the NBA Cup. Last season’s tournament runner-up and playoff contender, the Pacers are still searching for the rhythm that carried them to the 2024 Eastern Conference finals.
Game Takeaways
Pacers:
Indiana’s struggles this season are evident compared to their strong performance last year, when they won eight of 11 meetings against Milwaukee, including a 4-2 first-round playoff victory. Friday’s game highlighted how much the dynamic has shifted in favor of the Bucks.
Bucks:
Milwaukee entered the game with added motivation after being eliminated by Indiana in the playoffs last season. Head coach Doc Rivers noted pregame that his team was eager to make a statement, and they did just that, never trailing throughout the game.
Key Moment
The Pacers cut a 20-point deficit to just six with 5:52 left, but Antetokounmpo responded decisively. He found Gary Trent Jr. for a clutch 3-pointer with 5:33 remaining, then blocked a Bennedict Mathurin shot to spark a fast break. Trent returned the favor by setting up Antetokounmpo for a dunk, shifting momentum back to Milwaukee.
Key Stats
- The Bucks shot an impressive 17-of-36 (47.2%) from 3-point range.
- Antetokounmpo and Lillard combined for 61 points and 23 assists, showcasing their chemistry.
What’s Next
The Pacers will look to bounce back when they host the Washington Wizards on Sunday. Meanwhile, the Bucks aim to extend their winning streak as they host the Charlotte Hornets on Saturday.
