The Indiana Pacers demonstrated remarkable depth and resilience, overcoming a substantial deficit to halt the Milwaukee Bucks’ 15-game winning streak at Fiserv Forum with a 122-113 win on Monday night. Tyrese Haliburton, returning to his home state of Wisconsin, played a central role in the Pacers’ triumph, contributing 26 points, 11 assists, and nine rebounds.
Indiana’s bench was instrumental in the victory, outscoring Milwaukee’s reserves 70-16. This depth proved crucial on a night when the Pacers struggled from beyond the arc, shooting just 5 of 35 from three-point range. Bennedict Mathurin stood out with 25 points and a career-high 13 rebounds, while Isaiah Jackson added 18 points and nine rebounds. T.J. McConnell, another key player off the bench, contributed 16 points and nine assists.
Giannis Antetokounmpo led the Bucks with a triple-double, scoring 30 points, grabbing 18 rebounds, and dishing out 11 assists. Despite his individual brilliance, the Bucks were unable to secure a win. Antetokounmpo’s remarkable average of 46.3 points in four meetings with Indiana this season highlights his dominance, yet the Bucks have struggled against the Pacers, holding a 1-3 record in those games.
Brook Lopez and Khris Middleton each scored 21 points for Milwaukee, but Damian Lillard had an off-night, shooting just 3 of 16 from the field and 1 of 9 from the three-point line.
The game saw a significant momentum shift in the third quarter when the Pacers, trailing by 15, ignited a 19-5 run to take the lead. The final quarter was tightly contested, but McConnell’s six points during an 8-0 Pacers spurt proved decisive. Haliburton’s late-game heroics, including a crucial three-point play, ensured Indiana’s victory.
Haliburton reflected on the matchup, showing respect for the Bucks’ championship pedigree and considering the Pacers a team on the rise. The Pacers’ previous encounters with the Bucks this season, including an In-Season Tournament semifinal win and a tense skirmish after a December game, added extra intensity to this clash.
Indiana was without Bruce Brown due to a bone bruise, and Andrew Nembhard left the game early with a sore back. Milwaukee also had an absentee in MarJon Beauchamp, who was out with a non-COVID-19 illness.
The Pacers and Bucks are set to meet again on Wednesday in Indiana, offering the Bucks an immediate chance for redemption and the Pacers an opportunity to solidify their growing confidence. The Pacers’ win, fueled by their deep bench and Haliburton’s leadership, signals a team capable of challenging even the top-tier opponents in the league.
