Damian Lillard’s Comeback Falls Flat as Pacers Outpace Bucks in Game 2

Damian Lillard returned to the court for the first time in over a month, but the Milwaukee Bucks couldn’t cash in on his comeback, dropping Game 2 to the Indiana Pacers 123-115 on Tuesday night.

Pascal Siakam played the hero for Indiana, racking up 24 points and 11 rebounds, while Tyrese Haliburton added 21 points and 12 assists. The Pacers now hold a commanding 2-0 lead in this first-round playoff battle.

Despite Lillard’s return—his first action since being sidelined with deep vein thrombosis in his right calf—the Bucks never managed to take the lead. He finished with 14 points on 4-of-13 shooting in 37 minutes, and it was his first playoff pairing with Giannis Antetokounmpo. Giannis, living up to his MVP status, poured in 34 points, 18 rebounds, and seven assists, all while enduring a chorus of countdowns on his free throws.

Bobby Portis Jr. brought the fireworks for Milwaukee, putting up 28 points, including six threes, and 12 rebounds. Still, the Pacers came out hot, sprinting to a 31-16 lead in under eight minutes and never looking back.

The game itself was a rollercoaster: a scuffle at the Pacers’ bench led to double technicals, tempers flared in the closing minutes, and bodies hit the floor more than a few times. Both teams mixed in some zone defense and full-court pressure, but Indiana kept a steady grip.

The Bucks tried to flip the script late, going on a 13-0 run to cut the deficit to 115-113 with just over two minutes left. But the Pacers slammed the door shut, finishing on an 8-2 run to clinch the win.

Game 3 heads to Milwaukee on Friday, marking the 18th meeting between these rivals in the last two seasons. If playoff history is any guide, Indiana is looking to keep the upper hand—they’ve now won five of the last six postseason matchups with the Bucks.