The Milwaukee Bucks overcame a 19-point deficit to secure a 120-112 victory against the Indiana Pacers on Tuesday. Giannis Antetokounmpo, returning after a three-game absence due to illness, led the charge with 30 points, 12 rebounds, and five assists.
The Bucks, now 17-14, struggled early and trailed 83-64 late in the third quarter. However, Antetokounmpo found his rhythm in the second half, hitting 11 of 20 shots and making key plays on both ends of the floor. His performance helped Milwaukee outscore Indiana 67-48 after halftime.
Brook Lopez contributed 16 points, while Bobby Portis Jr. added 14 points and 15 rebounds off the bench. The Bucks’ defense tightened during their comeback, highlighted by a 12-0 run that cut the deficit to three points heading into the final quarter.
The Pacers, now 16-18, were led by Bennedict Mathurin’s 25 points and nine rebounds. Pascal Siakam chipped in with 20 points, while Myles Turner added 16 points and 10 rebounds. Despite a strong start, Indiana faltered under Milwaukee’s relentless second-half pressure.
Gary Trent Jr. delivered clutch shots for the Bucks in the fourth quarter, hitting two critical three-pointers in the final minutes. The first extended Milwaukee’s lead to 113-110, and the second, with the shot clock winding down, pushed the lead to 115-110 with 1:39 remaining.
Damian Lillard endured a tough night, finishing with just nine points on 3-for-14 shooting. Hounded by Andrew Nembhard’s defense, Lillard missed all seven of his first-half attempts but made pivotal defensive contributions down the stretch.
The Bucks’ improved second-half performance contrasted sharply with their sluggish start. Their defense held the Pacers to 44.4% shooting overall, while Milwaukee capitalized on 16 Indiana turnovers.