The Milwaukee Bucks organization, as well as their fans, are hoping that the 2024-25 NBA season is a drastic improvement over their 2023-24 season. After hiring Adrian Griffin as their head coach and trading for All-Star point guard Damian Lillard, the Bucks were expected to be one of the most dominating teams in the NBA, contending for another championship.
Of course, that did not happen. Griffin was fired midway through the season and replaced by current head coach Doc Rivers. Lillard, he revealed later, did not work out much last offseason out of fear that he would be injured before he was traded. This meant that he came to Milwaukee out of game shape and not fully prepared for the season.
The Bucks finished 49-33, good for third in the NBA Eastern Conference. However, they were defeated in the first round of the NBA Playoffs by the Indiana Pacers. Giannis Antetokounmpo missed the entire series with a strained Soleus and Lillard was hobbled by an Achilles injury.
Unfortunately, that postseason loss was not the only instance of Milwaukee falling to the hands of the Pacers last season.
The Milwaukee Bucks Lost to the Indiana Pacers in the 2023-24 NBA In-Season Tournament
Last season, the NBA held the debut in-season tournament in an effort to make regular season games more meaningful and competitive. The Bucks were assigned to Group B in the Eastern Conference along with the New York Knicks, Miami Heat, Charolette Hornets, and Washington Wizards. Milwaukee won each game against their fellow Group B teams during pool play.
They advanced to the knockout stage of the tournament against the Indiana Pacers, who then defeated them 128-119. Indiana went on to lose the final to the Los Angeles Lakers.
In December of last season, Giannis dropped a career-high 64 points against the Pacers in a thrilling 140-126 victory. What should have been a great moment for the Greek Freak turned into a dramatic event as the Pacers stole the game ball, promoting Giannis to give chase into the tunnel.
The rivalry between the Bucks and Pacers will undoubtedly continue next season, and they will certainly be facing each other again in the in-season tournament.
The Milwaukee Bucks 2024-25 NBA In-Season Tournament Schedule
On Tuesday, the NBA announced the groups and pool play schedule for their second annual in-season tournament. The Bucks will be in a group with Toronto Raptors, Pacers, Miami Heat, and Detroit Pistons:
Our quest for the NBA Cup begins Nov. 12. pic.twitter.com/agrOH433Bc
— Milwaukee Bucks (@Bucks) August 13, 2024
As one can see the NBA in-season tournament will begin in November. The Bucks will play one game against each of their fellow group members. If they win their group or earn a wild card, they will advance to the knockout round. Each conference has one wild card, the second-place team with the best group record.
Last year, the Knicks earned the Eastern Conference wild card.
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