Giannis Antetokounmpo spoke candidly following the Milwaukee Bucks’ 119-118 overtime loss to the Indiana Pacers on Tuesday, a defeat that ended their postseason run in the first round for the third straight year.
Despite recording a triple-double—30 points, 20 rebounds, and 13 assists—Antetokounmpo pointed to late-game mistakes as the difference in the Game 5 loss at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
“We did a lot of mistakes in the end of the overtime and in the end of the game. Yeah, it definitely cost us,” Antetokounmpo said postgame.
Milwaukee held multiple leads late in regulation and overtime but surrendered an 8-0 Pacers run in the final 34 seconds, capped by Tyrese Haliburton’s game-winning layup with 1.3 seconds remaining.
Gary Trent Jr., who scored 33 points and hit eight threes, committed two costly turnovers in the final minute, including a mishandled inbounds pass that helped Indiana close the series 4-1.
Antetokounmpo, who returned from a calf injury earlier in the series, expressed deep frustration about the loss—but said what hurt most was falling short for Damian Lillard.
“I feel like we owed this game to Dame,” he said. “He came back maybe earlier than what he’s supposed to, went down, sacrificed his body for us… the least we can do is win a game for Dame.”
Lillard missed Game 5 with a torn Achilles suffered in the previous matchup.
The Bucks had built a 118-111 lead in overtime, but Andrew Nembhard’s three-pointer and a crucial steal helped spark Indiana’s comeback.
Bobby Portis Jr., AJ Green, and Kevin Porter Jr. all scored in double figures, but Milwaukee’s bench contributed just 11 points, while Indiana’s reserves added 28 behind T.J. McConnell’s 18-point effort.
Antetokounmpo also defended his teammates when asked about the team’s fight and future.
“Thirty minutes ago, me and my teammates left everything—our heart—on the floor… I believed in them today. I believe in them tomorrow,” he said.
The former MVP declined to speculate on his future with the franchise but emphasized accountability and the drive to return stronger.
“I just have to be better. I try every single year, work in the offseason, come back… that’s what competitors do.”
He reflected on the personal growth in his playmaking role, saying he hopes to continue evolving into a point forward if given the opportunity.
Late in the interview, Antetokounmpo addressed an on-court confrontation involving Tyrese Haliburton’s father, describing it as “totally unacceptable” after being cursed at postgame.
“I believe in being humble in victory,” Antetokounmpo said. “Losing the game, emotions run high… but disrespect is not okay.”
The Pacers now advance to face the Cleveland Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference semifinals, while the Bucks enter an offseason filled with questions following another early playoff exit.
