Key Points Summary: Pacers advance to Semifinals
- Pacers beat Bucks 119-118 in overtime to win series 4-1
- Haliburton hits game-winning layup with 1.3 seconds left
- Pacers end the series with 8-0 run in final 30 seconds
- Giannis triple-double not enough as Bucks eliminated again
- Heated finish ends with shoving match at midcourt
- Indiana advances to face Cavaliers in the Eastern semis
The Indiana Pacers are headed to the Eastern Conference semifinals — and they did it in absolutely heart-pounding fashion.
In one of the most electric playoff finishes you’ll ever see, Tyrese Haliburton delivered the dagger, blowing past Giannis Antetokounmpo for a go-ahead layup with 1.3 seconds left in overtime to give the Pacers a 119-118 victory and close out the Bucks 4-1 in their first-round series.
Haliburton’s late-game heroics, combined with a furious 8-0 run in the final 30 seconds of OT, shocked Milwaukee and sent the sellout Indiana crowd into a frenzy.
Haliburton Redeems Himself in Epic Fashion
Haliburton wasn’t happy with himself after missing key shots in regulation — but when the moment truly mattered, he delivered.
- 26 points and 10 assists
- 9-0 career record in home playoff games
- Game-winning layup that sent fans into orbit
“I got a little down,” Haliburton admitted. “But my teammates told me, ‘We believe in you.’ And we got it done. Together.”
He didn’t just hit the game-winner. He also drew a key foul for a 3-point play moments before and controlled the floor when Indiana needed composure.
The Final 30 Seconds: How It Happened
Down 118-111, the Pacers looked dead in the water. Then came the chaos:
- Andrew Nembhard hits a clutch 3-pointer – 118-114
- Nembhard steals the inbound pass, setting up Haliburton’s 3-point play – 118-117
- Gary Trent Jr. fumbles the ball out of bounds on a long inbound – huge mistake
- Haliburton blows by Giannis for the go-ahead bucket – 119-118
- Trent’s full-court heave at the buzzer? Not even close
Indiana stunned the Bucks and the entire NBA world.
A Fiery Finish – Literally
Emotions boiled over after the buzzer. A shoving match broke out at midcourt, sparked when Haliburton’s father, John Haliburton, ran onto the court and had words with Giannis.
“I didn’t even see it. I was too busy celebrating,” said Tyrese, who was standing on the scorer’s table with his arms raised like Reggie Miller in his prime.
Bucks Collapse Despite Giannis Triple-Double
Giannis Antetokounmpo did everything he could:
- 30 points, 20 rebounds, 13 assists
- Played through pain and frustration
- Still couldn’t stop Indiana’s late rally
This marks Milwaukee’s third straight first-round exit, with the last two coming at the hands of the Pacers. The Bucks’ season, full of high hopes, ends with another bitter disappointment.
Coach Doc Rivers was fuming afterward:
“We blew it. Bad turnovers, missed assignments, missed foul to give. Just brutal.”
Indiana’s Next Stop: Cleveland
With the series win, Indiana moves on to face the top-seeded Cleveland Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference semifinals, starting Sunday.
It’s a battle between the Cinderella Pacers and a Cleveland team that just steamrolled the Miami Heat. It will be Haliburton vs. Mitchell, and if the first round was any indication, this next one could be fireworks.
Full Team Effort Fuels Pacers – Pacers advance to Semifinals
- Myles Turner: 21 points, 9 rebounds
- Aaron Nesmith: 19 points, 12 rebounds
- Andrew Nembhard: Crucial 3 and clutch steal
- Pacers defense: Locked in when it mattered most
They did all of this without panicking, and without losing belief.
Coach Rick Carlisle called it “one of the all-time great Pacers wins.”
What’s Next for the Bucks?
- Damian Lillard missed Game 5 with a torn Achilles
- Gary Trent Jr. scored 33 points but committed two game-losing turnovers
- Giannis’ future? Not clear. When asked if he could still win in Milwaukee, he refused to answer.
“This one hurts,” Giannis said, looking emotionally drained. “I wish we were still out there.”
Indiana Stuns the NBA Again – Pacers advance to Semifinals
This wasn’t just a win — it was a statement. The Pacers are no longer underdogs. They’re dangerous. They’re confident. And they’re coming for the Cavaliers.
Don’t blink. This Indiana playoff run is just getting started.
