Now in its second year, the NBA Cup will once again be held a couple of months from now for every team in the league. As it stands, the budding rivalry between the Milwaukee Bucks and Indiana Pacers will be nurture once more when they meet in the tournament.
The rivalry between the Pacers and Bucks reached a new level during the 2024 NBA playoffs. After a season filled with intense matchups and heated exchanges, the two teams faced off in a highly anticipated first-round series.
Throughout the regular season, the Pacers had an impressive record against the Bucks, with their victory in the playoff series capping off a dominant run. The teams’ five regular-season meetings, as well as their clashes during All-Star Weekend and occasional media jabs, had built up a palpable rivalry.
Prior to the playoffs, Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton had stated that he did not consider the matchup a true rivalry until the teams met in the postseason. The first-round series, despite the injuries to Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard, was widely anticipated as a clash between an unproven Pacers team and a seasoned Bucks squad with championship experience.
The animosity on display during the playoff series was a continuation of the tension that had been brewing for months. The Pacers’ Game 6 victory over the Bucks further solidified their position as a formidable opponent, setting the stage for an even more intense rivalry in the seasons to come.
NBA Cup Schedule For The Milwaukee Bucks and Indiana Pacers in East Group B
Along with their scheduled games during the regular season, Bucks fans can expect more when the Antetokounmpo-led squad faces off against Indiana in the Emirates NBA Cup. In an article written by Dalton Sell for Behind the Buck Pass, the rivals will be given a chance to fight it out on the court.
“Despite Giannis Antetokounmpo not logging a single minute of action, the Milwaukee Bucks put up a hard-fought battle in the postseason, taking Indiana to six games. Likely feeling like he owes it to the team to help them avenge this defeat, the Greek Freek should be fired up about playing the Pacers in such a crucial game, as will everyone who did actually take them on in the postseason.
With both teams gunning for the NBA Cup in addition to wanting to pummel one another, the next chapter in this rivalry could be written in this particular matchup. It will be a great test fairly early on in the regular season.
Clear your plans for November 22,” Sell wrote.
The Emirates NBA Cup 2024 is the NBA’s second annual in-season tournament. It features a Group Play stage and a Knockout Rounds stage, with the Semifinals and Championship held in Las Vegas. The tournament will count towards regular-season standings, except for the Championship game.
Although it’s still a couple of months away, fans will be eager to see Milwaukee battle the Pacers again. Hopefully, key players from both sides will be healthy enough to give everyone a game to remember.
For More Wisconsin Sports:
Follow us on Twitter at @WiSportsHeroics. Also, check out our Merchandise Here! Get 20% off with the code “WSH.” To read more of our articles and keep up to date on the latest in ALL of Wisconsin sports, click here! Green Bay Packers, Milwaukee Brewers, Milwaukee Bucks, Wisconsin Badgers.
