The Pacers walked into Milwaukee on Monday night with a cushion, then watched it disappear in the second half as the Bucks turned a shaky 0-3 start into their first win of the season, 110-102.
Indiana had enough early to build an 11-point halftime lead, but everything tilted after the break. The Pacers’ offense stalled hard, and the long ball that had helped them stay in front went cold in a big way. They finished the second half just 3-for-22 from beyond the arc, and Milwaukee used a 10-point edge in the third quarter and a nine-point advantage in the fourth to take control.
The rebounding battle told the story just as clearly. Indiana was beaten 45-34 on the glass and gave up 24-8 in second chance points.
With Ivica Zubac sidelined by the ankle injury he suffered Sunday, the Pacers had no answer for Milwaukee’s extra possessions. Former Indiana Hoosier Kel'el Ware grabbed 14 rebounds for the Bucks, and it felt like every critical second-half sequence ended with Milwaukee getting another look.
Tyler Herro led Milwaukee with 23 points on 7-for-14 shooting, while former Pacer Myles Turner was held to six points but made his impact felt in the paint late with multiple blocks in key moments. Turner is now 5-0 against his former team.
Obi Toppin was one of the few bright spots for Indiana. He kept his early-season scoring streak alive with 14 points and six rebounds, giving him double figures in all four games so far.
Toppin is averaging just under 16 points per game and is already doing damage from deep after last year’s injuries limited him to 24 games. He went 2-for-7 from three on Monday, but he’s still shooting 44% from beyond the arc this season.
The Pacers were also hurt at the line, making just 11 of 18 free throws. And they did it without several key names, including Andrew Nembhard and TJ McConnell.
It was a tough ask on the second night of a back-to-back, but this is still one Indiana will want to clean up. The Pacers had a double-digit lead and let it slip against a Milwaukee team that was sitting at 0-3 coming in. Haliburton and Siakam have been strong so far, but Indiana is going to need more support around them if it wants to keep pace in a better Eastern Conference.
Next up is a Wednesday night matchup in Indianapolis with LeBron James and the Sixers.
In Other News...
Pacers Suddenly Have A Tyrese Haliburton Problem Before 76ers Game
The Pacers injury report is suddenly carrying more weight than usual ahead of their matchup with the 76ers, and Tyrese Haliburton is right at the center of it. Indiana listed the star guard as questionable with left hamstring tightness, a development that matters even more as the team tries to build momentum after a rough previous season and continues working Haliburton back into form following his torn Achilles.
Indiana is also dealing with several other injury concerns, leaving the rotation a little more unsettled than the matchup on paper might suggest. Philadelphia, by comparison, has a shorter list of absences with four players unavailable, so the Pacers may have to manage both the game plan and the roster picture at once before they even get to tipoff. [Read more 🡒]
Tyrese Haliburtons Absence Leaves Pacers Facing A Brutal Early Test
Tyrese Haliburtons left hamstring strain has put the Pacers in an early-season bind, and the bigger issue right now is the uncertainty around how long theyll have to navigate without their offensive engine. Haliburton, who signed a five-year extension in 2023, has been driving Indianas attack again this season, averaging 21.8 points, 4.5 rebounds and 9.5 assists while setting the pace for everything the team wants to do.
Indiana is already dealing with another major absence, with center Ivica Zubac sidelined by a left ankle injury, which only raises the degree of difficulty for a group trying to stay afloat while key pieces heal. For the Pacers, the challenge is not just replacing production, but reworking the rhythm of a team built around Haliburtons playmaking while waiting for a clearer picture on his return. [Read more 🡒]
Pascal Siakam Had Pacers Fans Cracking Up With His Rick Carlisle Tribute
Pascal Siakam gave Pacers fans a quick laugh during a recent press conference by arriving in costume as Rick Carlisle, channeling the coach in a nod to one of Carlisles most memorable media moments from his days with the Mavericks. Siakam even taped his mouth shut to mimic Carlisles famous reaction to questions about officiating after a playoff game, turning a routine interview setting into a bit of basketball theater.
For Indiana, it was the kind of lighthearted scene that can travel fast in a season still finding its footing, with the Pacers sitting at 2-2. It also underscored how quickly Siakam has settled into the teams orbit, comfortable enough to poke fun at his coach while giving the fan base something to enjoy beyond the box score. [Read more 🡒]