MILWAUKEE — The competitive spirit between the Indiana Pacers and the Milwaukee Bucks is becoming increasingly evident on the basketball court. Guard Tyrese Haliburton of the Pacers summed up the tension succinctly, stating, “It’s no secret. They don’t like us. We don’t like them.”
These two Eastern Conference competitors clashed for their last scheduled regular-season meeting on Saturday night, where the Bucks managed to secure a victory despite a late surge by the Pacers, winning 126-119. This win allows the Bucks to maintain a slight edge over Indiana, reinforcing their position as contenders for a home-court advantage in the first playoff round. Milwaukee’s triumph has placed them and the Pacers ahead of the Detroit Pistons, who are still in the hunt for a higher playoff seed in the dense Eastern Conference.
Last season, the Pacers had eliminated Milwaukee in the first playoff round before progressing to the Eastern Conference finals. This has only intensified the rivalry. Bucks coach Doc Rivers acknowledges the budding tension between the teams, saying, “There’s definitely something there, and that’s good. I think rivalries are great, personally. You can’t just make them up, though. They have to happen. I think this one is happening. And it’s good.”
Key moments over the past two seasons have fueled this rivalry. Notably, Haliburton once celebrated his victory by mimicking Damian Lillard’s iconic “Dame Time” gesture during a decisive Pacers win in the NBA Cup, which at that time was referred to as the In-Season Tournament. Moreover, Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo delivered a franchise-record performance with 64 points against the Pacers and was involved in a post-game incident over the possession of the game ball.
Just this past week, the Pacers pulled off a stunning 115-114 victory over Milwaukee when Haliburton executed a four-point play with a mere 3.4 seconds left on the clock, converting on an off-balance three-pointer and connecting on the subsequent free throw. On Saturday, however, Milwaukee managed to settle the score despite nearly squandering a 21-point lead with only 11 minutes to play, managing to clinch the win in the last seconds.
Giannis Antetokounmpo, who scored 34 points along with 10 rebounds and seven assists before fouling out, praised Indiana’s persistent efforts. “A team like the Indiana Pacers, they’re going to keep on playing hard,” he noted, emphasizing the need to stay sharp and play a complete game against them. The Pacers’ quick style provides a stark contrast to Milwaukee, who possess one of the older rosters in the league and typically play at a slower pace.
The Pacers, spearheaded by Haliburton, showcase youthful exuberance, and for Haliburton, playing in his home state of Wisconsin always comes with a chorus of boos from the crowd. It’s a reaction he might have to get accustomed to, as Milwaukee’s latest victory gives them a 3-1 advantage in their season series against the Pacers, and potentially decisive should their records tie at season’s end.
As both teams eye a potential playoff encounter, Haliburton reflects on the prospect. “It’s looking right now like we might be on a crash course to seeing each other again,” he remarked. “That’s the beautiful part of basketball. I think everybody as competitors enjoys these matchups, enjoys these games. It’s two small-market Midwest teams, and I think that just makes it even more fun.”
