INDIANAPOLIS — In an exhilarating finish, Tyrese Haliburton, with only 3.4 seconds remaining on the clock, hit a dramatic fadeaway three-pointer while being fouled, clinching a four-point play that led the Indiana Pacers to a stunning 115-114 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks on Tuesday night. This performance was highlighted as Haliburton received a sideline pass from Andrew Nembhard, maneuvered along the left flank, and, despite being pressured by Giannis Antetokounmpo, launched a three-pointer while landing out of bounds. The basket was successful even as Haliburton found himself sprawled on the court.
Upon completing his spectacular shot, Haliburton landed the free throw, nudging the Pacers into a slender one-point lead. Antetokounmpo then hurriedly moved up the court, attempting a potential game-winner with a 3-point shot, but the effort fell short, sealing Indiana’s draw with Milwaukee in the standings for the Eastern Conference.
Haliburton, returning from a hip injury that sidelined him for three games, contributed significantly with 14 points and 10 assists. Pascal Siakam showcased his prowess for the Pacers, leading with 25 points and 12 rebounds, while Bennedict Mathurin chipped in with 17 points.
For the Bucks, Brook Lopez emerged as their top scorer with 23 points, whereas Giannis Antetokounmpo had a commendable outing, collecting 19 points and 17 rebounds. Initially, Indiana held a 103-93 advantage with 8:08 left in the game, but Milwaukee countered with a strong 10-0 run, leveling the score with a Gary Trent Jr. three-pointer. In the subsequent minutes, neither team managed to establish a lead of more than five points.
In terms of notable takeaways, Bucks’ player Damian Lillard managed to score 15 points alongside 11 assists, also contributing two critical free throws that placed Milwaukee up 114-111 with just 3.9 seconds remaining. Despite his efforts, it was not enough to secure the win.
For the Pacers, the return of Haliburton marked the end of a three-game losing streak, which highlighted his indispensability to the team, particularly during high-stakes moments.
A critical point of the game was when officials reviewed and confirmed the foul call against Antetokounmpo on Haliburton’s final shot. It was determined that there was inadequate space for Haliburton to safely land, upholding the referee’s decision.
Statistically, the Pacers capitalized by maintaining better ball control, ending the game with only nine turnovers, which was six fewer than the Bucks.
The Bucks are slated to host the Los Angeles Lakers on Thursday night, while the Indiana Pacers will head to Philadelphia for their Friday night game.
