At the beginning of the 2023-2024 NBA regular season, many believed that the dynamic duo of Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard would put the Milwaukee Bucks back in the NBA Finals conversation. After coming back in Game Five to extend the series, the Bucks did everything they could to even the series to head back to Milwaukee for a Game Seven. The Bucks had Damian Lillard back in the rotation after dealing with an Achilles injury but did not have Antetokounmpo.
Even with Lillard back in the lineup, the Indiana Pacers outscored the Bucks in all four quarters. Indiana would take a dominating 120-98 win over the Bucks to win Game Six and the series. They’ll be moving on to the Eastern Conference Semifinals where they’ll play the New York Knicks. This Game Six loss for Milwaukee must be heartbreaking, this team had potential throughout the regular season to make a magical run, and now that’s been cut short. This series could have ended differently if Antetokounmpo was at 100 percent.
Milwaukee Bucks Heartbreaking 120-98 Loss Eliminates Them from Playoff Contention
Three minutes into the game, the Bucks held a quick 10-3 lead over the Pacers. Over the next nine minutes, the Pacers went on a 30-14 run to take a nine-point lead heading into the second quarter. Indiana held a 14-point lead at one point during the second quarter. The Bucks would cut this deficit to 12 heading into halftime. One of the biggest things for Milwaukee during the first half was their three-point shooting. The Bucks went just two for 13 from beyond the arc through the first 24 minutes of action.
Tyrese Haliburton led all scorers with 15 points in addition to recording one rebound, six assists, and three steals. Pacers forward Aaron Nesmith had 12 points in 18 minutes of action. For the Milwaukee Bucks, both Damian Lillard and Brook Lopez scored 14 points apiece. Lillard dropped 14 points along with two rebounds, and two assists, while Lopez put up 14 points, five rebounds, and an assist.
The Bucks Can’t Get the Job Done
Although the Bucks unit scored 31 points during the third quarter, the Pacers as a whole dropped 35 points to extend their lead to 15 points with just one quarter remaining. Milwaukee only scored 20 points in the fourth quarter on six of 14 shooting from the floor, and two of six from three-point range. Indiana out-rebounded Milwaukee 13-6, as the Pacers would upset their division rival and Eastern Conference foe with a dominating 120-98 win. The Pacers shot 54 percent from the floor the entire game, while the Bucks shot 42 percent and 26 percent from deep. Indiana out-rebounded Milwaukee 44-40 and the Pacers committed two fewer turnovers.
Pacers Bench Clears the Way for the Win
In nearly 25 minutes of action, Obi Toppin led the Pacers with 21 points. T.J. McConnell dropped 20 points on seven of nine shooting in 22 minutes off the bench. Pascal Siakam scored 19, and while Tyrese Haliburton had 15 first-half points, he would only score two points during the second half to give 17 total on the night. Damian Lillard dropped 28 points while pulling down two rebounds, and dishing out four assists. Brook Lopez and Bobby Portis Jr. finished with 20 points apiece during this elimination loss.
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