In a dramatic conclusion to the first playoff series, Tyrese Haliburton powered the Indiana Pacers past the Milwaukee Bucks, delivering an impressive performance that culminated in a nerve-wracking 119-118 victory in Indiana. Haliburton, who initially felt he had let his team down in the fourth quarter, turned the game around with sheer determination and acumen.
The Pacers were able to force Milwaukee into committing crucial turnovers in the final 29 seconds of overtime. Haliburton’s electrifying drive past Giannis Antetokounmpo, ending in a layup with just 1.3 seconds left, sealed the Pacers’ triumph and completed an 8-0 run. This victory was pivotal, securing a 4-1 series win and a meeting with top-seeded Cleveland in the Eastern Conference semifinals, set to begin on Sunday.
Rick Carlisle, Indiana’s coach, hailed the win as one of the greatest in the franchise’s history, given the stakes involved. “Ty obviously played a significant role in this ending. Congratulations to him,” Carlisle commented, recognizing Haliburton as a key player in this victory.
Haliburton notched a remarkable 26 points and 10 assists, maintaining an unbeaten home playoff record. Despite struggling with missed shots late in regulation, his teammates bolstered him, helping Indiana snatch the series from Milwaukee once again. Meanwhile, Giannis Antetokounmpo fought valiantly for the Bucks, achieving 30 points, 20 rebounds, and 13 assists, while Gary Trent Jr. contributed 33 points, notably making critical errors during overtime.
The Bucks’ playoff struggles continued, marking their third consecutive first-round exit, with the past two losses at Indiana’s hands. The fierce rivalry concluded in a scuffle on the court, spurred by Haliburton’s father, John, who engaged Antetokounmpo in a verbal exchange. Unfazed, Tyrese celebrated the victory exuberantly, rallying the crowd from atop the scorer’s table in scenes reminiscent of Pacers legend Reggie Miller.
Reflecting on the game, Haliburton acknowledged his earlier missteps but credited his teammates for their encouragement. “They urged me to keep going, assuring me we’d have an opportunity to win it in the end,” Haliburton shared.
Crucially, it was not just Haliburton who delivered. Andrew Nembhard initiated the turnaround with a clutch 3-pointer, reducing Milwaukee’s lead to 118-114 with just over 30 seconds remaining. Nembhard then intercepted Trent’s inbound pass, allowing Haliburton’s three-point play to narrow the gap to one point.
With mounting pressure on Milwaukee, another turnover from Trent granted Haliburton the chance to score the decisive layup. Milwaukee’s coach, Doc Rivers, lamented the turnovers and defensive lapses, particularly their failure to utilize a foul to give during a timeout.
Myles Turner contributed 21 points and nine rebounds, with Aaron Nesmith adding 19 points and 12 rebounds for Indiana. Attempting to avoid another first-round exit, Rivers brought in guards AJ Green, Kevin Porter Jr., and forward Bobby Portis Jr. as starters. Notably absent was their star guard Damian Lillard, sidelined with an Achilles injury.
All five of Milwaukee’s starters reached double figures, yet the defeat left Giannis Antetokounmpo disheartened, hinting at uncertainty about his future prospects for another NBA title in Milwaukee. “I wanted to keep playing, to continue competing,” he expressed.