Tyrese Haliburton’s late-game redemption helped the Indiana Pacers eliminate the Milwaukee Bucks 119-118 in overtime Tuesday night, securing a 4-1 first-round series win at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
Haliburton scored 26 points and delivered 10 assists, including the game-winning layup with 1.3 seconds left, finishing off an 8-0 run in the final 34 seconds of the extra period.
Milwaukee’s Gary Trent Jr. committed two costly turnovers during that stretch, including a mishandled inbounds pass that allowed Indiana to take control in the closing seconds.
The Pacers now advance to the Eastern Conference semifinals, where they will face the top-seeded Cleveland Cavaliers in Game 1 on Sunday.
Indiana trailed 118-111 in overtime before Andrew Nembhard’s three-pointer ignited the final push, followed by his sideline steal that set up Haliburton’s three-point play to cut the deficit to one.
Myles Turner added 21 points and nine rebounds, while Aaron Nesmith contributed 19 points and 12 boards in a game that saw Indiana shoot 46.2 percent from the field and force 17 Bucks turnovers.
Giannis Antetokounmpo recorded 30 points, 20 rebounds, and 13 assists in 44 minutes, but the Bucks could not overcome the absence of Damian Lillard, who suffered a torn Achilles in Game 4.
Trent finished with 33 points and knocked down eight threes but struggled down the stretch, while AJ Green, Kevin Porter Jr., and Bobby Portis Jr. also scored in double figures.
Milwaukee’s bench offered little support, producing just 11 points on 4-of-9 shooting, while Indiana’s reserves added 28, led by T.J. McConnell’s 18 points in 17 minutes.
The series ended with tempers flaring at midcourt following a confrontation sparked by Haliburton’s father, John, who ran onto the floor and exchanged words with Antetokounmpo during the celebration.
Unfazed, Haliburton climbed atop the scorer’s table to rally the crowd, channeling Reggie Miller’s iconic moments in Indianapolis playoff history.
Indiana won despite trailing by 17 early and by seven in overtime, improving to 9-0 in playoff home games with Haliburton on the floor.
The Bucks have now lost three straight first-round series, two of them to the Pacers, raising questions about the franchise’s direction heading into the offseason.
Haliburton’s clutch finish capped a rollercoaster fourth quarter and overtime, where he shook off earlier misses and answered when his team needed him most.
The Pacers will look to carry that momentum into a tough matchup with Cleveland, who finished the regular season atop the Eastern Conference with a 64-18 record.
