The Milwaukee Bucks suffered a third straight loss as they fall to the Indiana Pacers on the road. It is also the nth time this season that they lost in a game that was decided by a questionable last-second call.
The Bucks were able to take the lead with 1:07 to go in the fourth quarter after trailing most of the fourth quarter. Damian Lillard then had the chance to stretch the led to three points with his two free throws and the ball goes back to the Pacers with 3.2 seconds to go.
All the Bucks need to do now is not foul because the worst possible scenario is the game going to overtime. They could have fouled someone, too, so that the the opponents will only be limited to two free throws instead of an opportunity for a three point shot.
None of that happened.
TYRESE HALIBURTON FOUR-POINT PLAY TO WIN IT 😱 pic.twitter.com/BfhuhcEQdZ
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) March 12, 2025
Instead, they allowed Tyrese Haliburton to get the ball and he streaked into the corner for a falling three. Giannis Antetokounmpo made the challenge but he was called for the foul.
Haliburton, who struggled offensively most of the game and the whole season, too, sank the bonus. Pacers win, 115-114.
Milwaukee Bucks challenged the call
The Bucks allowed the three and even made a mistake of allowing it into a four-point play.
Doc Rivers challenged the call because he thought Hali was out of bounds before the shot.
Asked Doc Rivers about the decision to challenge the late on the Haliburton 3 and he said the reasoning behind why they did is his staff believed that Tyrese Haliburton stepped out of bounds.
— Eric Nehm (@eric_nehm) March 12, 2025
Upon review, game officials stuck by their first decision that Giannis indeed foul Haliburton even if there was no contact at all.
They said they did not give the Pacers guard a space for landing.
“Defensive foul for not allowing player to land safely”.
Haliburton literally landed out of bounds.
Terrible call.
— Bucks Lead (@BucksLead) March 12, 2025
The loss reflects the Bucks’ roller coaster season. They thought they already figured things out but with this third straight loss, finding the identity continues.
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