The Indiana Pacers took full control of their first-round series on Sunday night, dismantling the Milwaukee Bucks 129-103 while Damian Lillard exited early with a concerning leg injury.
Myles Turner powered Indiana with 23 points as the Pacers shot a blistering 60.2% from the field at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
Lillard suffered a non-contact injury to his lower left leg midway through the first quarter and did not return.
Preliminary evaluations suggest a potential Achilles tendon injury, though the Bucks have yet to officially confirm the diagnosis.
Indiana capitalized immediately after Lillard’s departure, extending a slim 15-12 lead with a 10-3 run that widened the gap to double digits.
Eight Pacers finished in double figures, led by Andrew Nembhard’s 20 points and Tyrese Haliburton’s 17 points and 15 assists.
T.J. McConnell contributed 15 points off the bench, while Aaron Nesmith, Obi Toppin, Pascal Siakam, and rookie Jarace Walker combined for 51 points.
The Pacers seized a 63-52 halftime advantage and shot 69.2% over the final two quarters to maintain their dominance.
Milwaukee struggled to find rhythm without Lillard, and Giannis Antetokounmpo’s 28-point, 15-rebound performance was not enough to keep them competitive.
Kevin Porter Jr. added 23 points for the Bucks, but no other Milwaukee starter managed more than six points.
Kyle Kuzma continued to struggle, finishing with just three points on 1-for-6 shooting.
Indiana played without Bennedict Mathurin, sidelined with an abdominal bruise, but showed no signs of missing the second-year wing.
Turner, who was limited to just six points on 1-of-9 shooting in Game 3, set the tone early with nine points in the first five minutes.
The Bucks face elimination without clarity on Lillard’s status and the burden now shifts heavily onto Antetokounmpo to keep Milwaukee’s season alive.
Game 5 tips off Tuesday at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, where Indiana will attempt to send Milwaukee home for the second consecutive year.
