The Milwaukee Bucks have crashed out of the NBA Playoffs, losing to the Indiana Pacers in the first round for the second-straight season. After the five-game series that saw the Bucks be second-best, Pacers star point guard Tyrese Haliburton confidently reflected on the team’s mindset entering the rematch with Milwaukee and confirmed that he felt there was no doubt they would win the series.
Indiana Pacers Star Tyrese Haliburton Acknowledges Rivalry With Milwaukee Bucks
As the NBA Playoff matchups came together in the closing stages of the 2024-25 regular season, many fans were excited by the Milwaukee Bucks and Indiana Pacers facing off as the 4-seed vs. 5-seed pairing. After a competitive series in the 2024 postseason, the Bucks were now getting their chance at a rematch, this time with a healthy Giannis Antetokounmpo leading a team that had built some momentum in the back half of the season and had several new players acquired at the trade deadline who were set to take the team to the next level in the playoffs.
ESPN experts were split on predicting the winner, while NBA TV personalities narrowly favored Indiana. Fans from both teams were confident that their squad would get it done. The series was set to be one of the most competitive in the opening round. Pacers point guard Tyrese Haliburton, one of the stars of the series, acknowledged that the two teams had become rivals in recent years.
“Playing against Milwaukee again, obviously you know there’s a rivalry there, you know that the fans are gonna be really into it.”
The rivalry was evident in the several fiery moments throughout the series. Haliburton was one of many players involved in verbal spars, scuffles, and physical play. However, while both teams were seemingly eager to mix it up, only one team seemed ready to advance into the second round. Milwaukee was dumped out of the playoffs in five games.
Tyrese Haliburton Says There Was No Doubt Indiana Would Defeat the Milwaukee Bucks
After the Pacers moved on past the Milwaukee Bucks, Haliburton reflected on the series in a video on his new YouTube channel. He illustrated the confidence he had in his team entering the series with a blunt assessment of how he approached the series vs. Milwaukee.
“I don’t think there was ever any doubt that we were gonna win the series.”
Haliburton’s statement is supported by what happened on the court. Although many entered the series viewing the matchup as one either team was capable of winning, the Bucks demonstrated that they are far off the pace for contending in the eastern conference.
Despite Antetokounmpo averaging 33 points, 15.6 rebounds, and 6.6 assists per game on over 60% from the field, the Bucks were thoroughly handled by Indiana. Damian Lillard was sluggish in his return from blood clots before suffering another massive injury to his Achilles. New acquisition Kyle Kuzma was dreadful, and few other players were able to salvage impressive moments.
The Bucks have an important offseason ahead of them. As the Pacers move on to face the 1-seed Cleveland Cavaliers, Milwaukee will have to hope Antetokounmpo is ready to commit to the franchise moving forward.
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