Pascal Siakam led the Indiana Pacers to a 125-108 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks in Game 2 of their Eastern Conference first-round playoff series, scoring 37 points. The Pacers snapped a 10-game playoff losing streak and tied the series at one game apiece. Damian Lillard had 34 points for the Bucks, but it wasn’t enough as they were once again without Giannis Antetokounmpo due to injury. Antetokounmpo has been out since April 9 with a strained left calf and his return is still uncertain.
The Pacers, who led the NBA in scoring during the regular season, bounced back from a Game 1 loss by shooting better and playing more like the team that won regular-season matchups against the Bucks. Siakam scored efficiently, going 16 of 23 from the field, and was supported by Myles Turner and Andrew Nembhard who scored 22 and 20 points respectively. Indiana’s strong offensive performance helped them build a lead in the third quarter that they maintained for the rest of the game.
Despite another strong first-half performance from Lillard, the Bucks couldn’t keep up with the Pacers as they struggled to score consistently. Brook Lopez was a bright spot for Milwaukee, scoring 22 points and hitting 6 of 7 from 3-point range, but it wasn’t enough to overcome Indiana’s balanced scoring attack. The Pacers outshot the Bucks from beyond the arc and were able to establish a double-digit lead in the third quarter that proved insurmountable for Milwaukee.
The series now shifts to Indianapolis for Game 3, with both teams looking to gain an advantage in what has been a closely contested matchup. The Pacers will look to continue their strong offensive play and capitalize on their home court advantage, while the Bucks will hope to get Antetokounmpo back on the court as soon as possible to bolster their chances of advancing in the playoffs. With the series tied, both teams will need to bring their best in the upcoming games to secure a spot in the next round.
Indiana’s victory in Game 2 was a much-needed boost for a team that had been struggling in the playoffs in recent years, having been swept in their last two postseason appearances. Siakam’s performance was a reminder of his scoring ability and championship pedigree, having won an NBA title with the Toronto Raptors in 2019. The Pacers will look to build on this win and carry the momentum into Game 3, while the Bucks will need to regroup and find ways to generate more offense in order to bounce back in the series.
