Myles Turner scored 23 points and the Indiana Pacers shot 60.2% from the field to beat the Milwaukee Bucks 129-103 on Sunday, moving one win away from advancing in the first-round series.
MYLES TURNER WITH THE POSTER ON GIANNIS ANTETOKOUNMPO 😱pic.twitter.com/5d9hTzfov1
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) April 28, 2025
Milwaukee lost Damian Lillard to a lower left leg injury midway through the first quarter. A preliminary examination indicated a possible Achilles tendon injury, according to a person with knowledge of the situation. “It’s very disheartening, but it happens fast. It’s the playoffs,” Turner said.
"This is a tough one, honestly. Blood clot, followed by \\[Achilles]. ... He's just a great freakin' dude, as a teammate and a father. No one deserves it." ❤️
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) April 28, 2025
Doc Rivers speaks on Damian Lillard pic.twitter.com/zt1XKVcmTv
After undergoing an MRI on Monday, doctors confirmed that Lillard tore his left Achilles tendon, a season-ending injury.
The Pacers, who ousted the Bucks 4-2 last year, can clinch again with a Game 5 win Tuesday in Indianapolis. Milwaukee has now dropped eight straight playoff road games, including five in Indiana.
After Lillard’s non-contact injury, the Pacers immediately seized control, with eight players scoring in double figures. Andrew Nembhard had 20 points, Tyrese Haliburton finished with 17 points and 15 assists, and T.J. McConnell added 15 points off the bench.
Giannis Antetokounmpo led the Bucks with 28 points, 15 rebounds, and six assists before exiting with under five minutes remaining. Kevin Porter Jr. scored 23 points, but Antetokounmpo was the only Bucks starter to score more than six.
“I’ve seen injuries deflate teams, but tonight, that one hurt,” Bucks coach Doc Rivers said. “My job over the next 48 hours is to get us upright again, try to win one in Indiana and get it back here.”
Indiana never trailed, sparked by Turner’s early nine points and a 10-3 run immediately after Lillard’s exit. The Pacers led 63-52 at halftime and shot 69.2% in the second half to pull away.
Bennedict Mathurin sat out with an abdominal bruise, but the Pacers bounced back strong after blowing a Game 3 lead. “I thought we responded the right way today,” Haliburton said.
