- Indiana Pacers have eliminated Milwaukee Bucks 4–1 to advance to the Eastern Conference semifinals
- Tyrese Haliburton scored the game-winning basket in overtime after wiping out a 4-point deficit
- Giannis Antetokounmpo recorded a triple-double, but the Bucks fell short in a dramatic Game 5 finish
Key Takeaways:
Indiana Pacers have overcome the first round of the NBA Playoffs. The players of Rick Carlisle crushed the Milwaukee Bucks 119:118 after overtime in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference quarterfinals. The Pacers survived a blown double-digit lead and late-game drama at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, and in the end, Tyrese Haliburton became the big hero and sent the team of Doc Rivers into vacation.
This was enough for the team from Indianapolis to eliminate the Bucks with 4:1 wins. Thus, last season’s script repeated itself, as the Pacers also won 4:2 in the first round then. In the semifinals, Indiana will face the Cleveland Cavaliers, who defeated the Miami Heat with a 4:0 sweep.
largest comeback win in the final 40 seconds of a playoff game since at least 1996-97 😎 pic.twitter.com/Laqnp3GPNk
— Indiana Pacers (@Pacers) April 30, 2025
Giannis Antetokounmpo, AJ Green, and Gary Trent Jr. were the main reason the visitors dominated early. The hosts could not shake off the shock and by the end of the opening quarter, the Bucks had pulled away by 17 points, with the halftime score at 47:41 in favor of Milwaukee.
The Pacers showed even more character after the break, when the comeback came, thanks to Andrew Nembhard, Tyrese Haliburton, and TJ McConnell. A quick response followed from Kevin Porter Jr. and Antetokounmpo, who tied it at 75:75 after 36 minutes of play.
The tension rose in the final quarter, where gaining the upper hand proved a difficult task for both teams. Green and Antetokounmpo built a 4-point lead for the visitors in the final 53 seconds, but Haliburton erased it and restored parity, sending the game to overtime.
With 40 seconds left on the clock, Milwaukee looked like the winner, but Nembhard and Haliburton brought the Pacers back to life, with the latter’s basket giving them a one-point lead. In the final play, Trent Jr.’s desperate shot missed the target and that was the end.
Tyrese Haliburton stood out for Indiana with 26 points, 5 rebounds, and 9 assists. Myles Turner registered 21 and 9 rebounds, Aaron Nesmith posted 19 and 12 boards. TJ McConnell scored 18 points, Andrew Nembhard finished with 6 rebounds and 6 assists, while Pascal Siakam added 10.
Gary Trent Jr. exploded for 33 points, including 8 three-pointers for Milwaukee. Giannis Antetokounmpo shone with 30 points, 20 rebounds, and 13 assists. AJ Green recorded 19 points and 6 made shots from beyond the arc, Bobby Portis finished with 14 and 10 boards, while Kevin Porter Jr. had 11 and 7 assists.