INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Giannis Antetokounmpo nailed a 17-foot buzzer-beating jumper to lift the Milwaukee Bucks to a thrilling 117-115 victory over the short-handed Indiana Pacers on Monday night.
Antetokounmpo delivered an impressive performance, finishing with 33 points, 13 rebounds, and five assists while shooting 14 of 21 from the field. Kyle Kuzma contributed 15 points, helping the Bucks secure their third win in four games. This victory marked the first of four scheduled regular-season matchups against the Central Division rival, whom they have faced 22 times since the start of the 2023-24 season.
A noteworthy subplot featured longtime Pacers center Myles Turner, who was now wearing a Bucks jersey after signing a free-agent deal in July. Fans greeted Turner with boos throughout the night, starting with a pregame video tribute played before player introductions. Turner recorded nine points, seven rebounds, and five blocks, shooting 3 of 7 from the floor. He scored only two points in the second half, including a crucial basket with 2:22 remaining that briefly gave Milwaukee the lead.
For the Pacers, Pascal Siakam led the charge with 32 points and eight assists. Isaiah Jackson, filling in for Turner, posted 21 points and 10 rebounds—his highest scoring output since a 26-point game in January 2022.
The game carried a familiar intensity, reminiscent of the past two playoff first-round series, which saw Indiana eliminate Milwaukee each time. The score remained tight throughout. Indiana showed resilience by rallying from an 11-point deficit with 6:08 left in the game, eventually tying it on Aaron Nesmith’s driving layup with just 14.6 seconds remaining.
Milwaukee called a timeout and inbounded the ball to Antetokounmpo, who kept possession and calmly sank the game-winning shot at the buzzer.
**Up next:**
– Bucks: At Atlanta on Tuesday night
– Pacers: Host Brooklyn on Wednesday night
