Pacers Dominate Bucks for Game 1 Playoff Win

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Pacers Dominate Bucks for Game 1 Playoff Win \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ Pascal Siakam and Tyrese Haliburton powered the Indiana Pacers to a commanding 117-98 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks in Game 1 of their playoff series. Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 36, but Milwaukee struggled without Damian Lillard and was held to just 9-of-37 from three-point range. Indiana now leads the first-round series 1-0.

Quick Looks

Pascal Siakam tallied 25 points and 7 rebounds in dominant playoff opener
Tyrese Haliburton added a double-double with 10 points and 12 assists
Indiana takes 1-0 lead in best-of-seven series against Milwaukee
Pacers held Bucks to just 3 points in final 5:24 of the third quarter
Myles Turner sealed win with clutch 3-pointer, finishing with 19 points and 4 blocks
Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 36 with 12 rebounds but had only 1 assist
Bucks shot just 9-of-37 from three, including 2-of-16 in the first half
Damian Lillard missed Game 1 due to deep vein thrombosis in his calf
Indiana’s defense stifled Milwaukee’s league-best three-point shooting
Pacers led by as much as 28 in second-half surge

Deep Look

The Indiana Pacers sent a powerful message to the Milwaukee Bucks and the rest of the NBA on Saturday with a 117-98 victory in Game 1 of their first-round playoff series. Led by Pascal Siakam and Tyrese Haliburton, Indiana controlled the pace, frustrated Milwaukee’s offense, and held firm even when the Bucks attempted a third-quarter rally.

It was a complete team win, anchored by sharp execution, staunch defense, and timely shot-making. And for the Pacers, it sets the tone as they chase their first playoff series win since 2014.

Siakam and Haliburton Shine in Series Opener

Fresh off his midseason arrival from Toronto, Pascal Siakam looked every bit the seasoned postseason performer, finishing with 25 points, 7 rebounds, and a string of crucial buckets to anchor Indiana’s offense.

Meanwhile, Tyrese Haliburton, who has emerged as one of the league’s premier point guards, added 10 points and 12 assists, orchestrating the Pacers’ offense with poise and pace. His ability to stretch the floor and feed big men in motion proved a consistent thorn in the Bucks’ side.

Haliburton’s leadership was evident not just on the stat sheet, but in how Indiana responded to Milwaukee’s third-quarter push.

“We stayed composed,” Haliburton said postgame. “We knew they’d make a run, but we kept moving the ball and kept trusting each other.”

Giannis Goes Off—But Gets Little Help

Giannis Antetokounmpo did his part. The two-time MVP poured in 36 points, pulled down 12 rebounds, and did everything he could to will his team forward. But with Damian Lillard sidelined due to deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in his calf, the Bucks were severely short on firepower.

Antetokounmpo managed just 1 assist, a reflection of both Indiana’s defensive schemes and Milwaukee’s cold shooting. The Bucks, the NBA’s top three-point shooting team in the regular season (38.7%), hit just 9 of 37 from long range—including a miserable 2-of-16 first half.

“We didn’t shoot it well, and our spacing wasn’t where it needed to be,” said Bucks interim coach Joe Prunty.

Only AJ Green (15 points), Gary Trent Jr. (14), and Kevin Porter Jr. (12) reached double figures beyond Giannis. The rest of the team struggled to generate momentum, particularly against Indiana’s rotating defensive looks.

Turner’s Two-Way Impact

Indiana’s Myles Turner made his mark on both ends of the floor. The veteran big man finished with 19 points, 4 blocks, and hit the dagger three-pointer with 1:59 remaining to officially put the game out of reach.

Turner’s rim protection and help defense were key in keeping Milwaukee’s slashers at bay, while his outside shooting gave the Pacers the spacing they needed to operate freely.

“He was a wall inside,” coach Rick Carlisle said of Turner. “And that shot late was huge.”

A Game of Runs, But Pacers Always Answered

The Pacers led by as many as 28 points, using an 11-3 run to close the first half with a 60-43 advantage. Milwaukee mounted a brief charge midway through the third quarter, trimming the lead to 12, but Indiana responded with a defensive stand, holding the Bucks to just 3 points over the final 5:24 of the third period.

From there, Indiana methodically maintained control, never letting the lead dip back into single digits.

No Lillard, No Lift for Milwaukee

The absence of Damian Lillard loomed large. The All-Star guard continues to recover from DVT, a potentially serious condition that has sidelined him indefinitely. Without his playmaking and deep shooting threat, Milwaukee lacked a reliable second option next to Giannis.

Until Lillard returns—or another player steps up—Milwaukee may struggle to keep pace with an Indiana squad that appears deeper, faster, and better connected right now.

Looking Ahead: What’s Next in the Series

Game 2 will be critical for the Bucks, who now find themselves down 0-1 in a rematch of last year’s playoff clash, which Indiana won 4-2—though Antetokounmpo missed that entire series with a calf injury.

This time, Giannis is on the floor, but the supporting cast must rise. For Indiana, the challenge will be maintaining this level of energy and discipline as the series progresses.

“We can’t be satisfied,” said Siakam. “It’s just one game.”

Game 2 is scheduled for Monday night, again in Indianapolis, where a win would give Indiana a commanding lead and put the higher-seeded Bucks on the ropes.