1. Introduction: A Rivalry Refined
The Pacers and Bucks have fueled some of the season’s most high-stakes showdowns. Their Game 5 first-round playoff series confrontation served up a breathtaking finish. The game ended 119–118 in favor of Indiana, with a buzzer-beating shot by Tyrese Haliburton securing the victory
Let’s get to player-by-player performance and find out who shone and who didn’t.
2. Final Score & Key Game Context
The Pacers orchestrated an 8–0 run in the final 40 seconds of overtime to seal the series. Here’s what happened in the game:
- Final: Pacers 119, Bucks 118 (OT)
- Lead: Bucks led 17, then 20 in the first quarter .
- Overtime highlight: Pacers rallied late to win.
This game ended the season for the Bucks and stretched the Pacers’ winning streak in the series .
3. Bucks Player Stats Breakdown
Giannis Antetokounmpo
30 points, 20 rebounds, 13 assists – a dominating triple-double
Shooting: 14/20 FG, 6/10 FT
Minutes: 39.
Even with the dominant role, he couldn’t maintain the late lead
Gary Trent Jr.
33 points, eight threes included
m.aiscore.com
Giants scorer in spite of Lillard’s injury absence .
Key misses and turnover late allow Indy to take over
Damian Lillard
Returned for first time since DVT but played Game 5 with 14 points, 3 rebounds, 7 assists.
Suffered season-ending Achilles rupture in Game 4
Bobby Portis
Game 2 double-double: 28 points, 12 rebounds
In the OT thriller, he dropped 28 points, 12 rebounds again .
Other Notables
Khris Middleton scored 42 points, 10 rebounds, 5 assists in Game 3
Kyle Kuzma was scoreless in Game 1 .
4. Pacers Player Stats Breakdown
Tyrese Haliburton
26 points, 9 assists with game-winning layup
Strong playoff postseason: several 20+ pts, double-digit assists with no turnovers .
Game 2: 21 points, 12 assists, paced wins’ pace .
Pascal Siakam
Game 2: 24 points, 11 rebounds .
Game 5: solid effort with ? (not shown, but consistent appearance).
Aaron Nesmith
19 points, 12 rebounds in OT victory .
Myles Turner
Provided 21 points in finals .
Less consistent throughout the series.
T.J. McConnell
18 points and clutch plays in Game 5
5. Comparative Stats Table (Game 5)
— stats not available in source
6. Playoff Series Snapshot
The Pacers swept the series:
- Game 2: 123–115 win, Siakam & Haliburton double-doubles
- Game 3: Bucks rebound 3–2 lead behind Middleton
- Game 4: Bucks pace but lose Lillard contribution .
- Game 5: Heartbreaking OT victory seals 4–1 series
7. Player Narratives
Giannis Antetokounmpo
His triple-double solidified he led the Bucks. But even MVP-like numbers couldn’t halt the Pacers or a late meltdown .
Tyrese Haliburton
He came back again, topped by a clutch OT layup. His playoff performance equaled the performances he provided throughout the season .
Damian Lillard
His comeback was abbreviated in injury. The Bucks stumbled in his absence, though Middleton and Giannis filled the void .
8. Turning Points & Takeaways
Bucks came out strong with a 30–13 first quarter but didn’t finish
Gary Trent Jr.’s OT push came up short after game-changing turnover .
Pacers’ bench went big under pressure, particularly T.J. McConnell and Aaron Nesmith
9. Championship Outlook
With the win, the Pacers play the Cleveland Cavaliers next in the Eastern Conference Semis.The Cavaliers are heavy favorites to start.
For the Bucks, the loss sparked offseason questions about Giannis and team rebuild options
Conclusion: Stats Tell the Story
Milwaukee had its stars deliver elite performances. Giannis and Trent played like All-Stars. But Indiana’s depth, tenacity, and clutch leaders—Haliburton, McConnell, Nesmith—sealed the deal.
This series proved games aren’t decided by star stats alone. It takes balance, depth, composure, and clutch execution.
Fans will recall how each of the major players performed when it really counted1. Introduction: A Rivalry Refined
