The Indiana Pacers took down the Milwaukee Bucks 123-115 on Tuesday, April 22, behind double-doubles from Pascal Siakam and Tyrese Haliburton to grab a 2-0 lead in their first-round playoff series.
Siakam led the way with 24 points and 11 rebounds, hitting a crucial 3-pointer to ignite Indiana’s game-clinching run in the final minutes. Haliburton added 21 points and 12 assists, as the Pacers never trailed and took firm control of the series heading into Game 3.
The win marked Indiana’s fifth victory over Milwaukee in their last six postseason matchups and continued a trend of dominant starts — the Pacers have not trailed since early in the first quarter of Game 1.
Giannis Antetokounmpo led the Bucks with 34 points, 18 rebounds and seven assists, but Milwaukee fell behind early again and couldn’t recover. Bobby Portis Jr. had 28 points and 12 boards, while Damian Lillard scored 14 points in his return from a calf issue, playing his first postseason game alongside Antetokounmpo.
The game had a bit of everything: multiple technical fouls, a first-half scuffle, full-court pressure, zone defense, and stretches of physical play — all played in front of a packed house that included WNBA star Caitlin Clark and her Indiana Fever teammates, Reggie Wayne, Marcus Ericsson, and Lance Stephenson.
Milwaukee trimmed a 20-point deficit to 115-103 with just over two minutes left before Siakam buried a 3-pointer to kickstart an 8-2 run that closed the door.
Game 3 is set for Friday, April 25, in Milwaukee as the Pacers look to take a commanding 3-0 series lead.
