Mandatory Credit: Michael McLoone-Imagn Images

NBA Playoffs 2025: Gary Trent Jr, Giannis Antetokounmpo Help Milwaukee Bucks Trim Series Deficit against Pacers in Home-Court Matchup

The Bucks' 10-0 and 18-6 runs in the fourth quarter pushed Indiana out of the game.

Mandatory Credit: Michael McLoone-Imagn Images

The Milwaukee Bucks pulled off a comeback in the series with a 117-101 win over the Indiana Pacers on Friday night. The Bucks, who entered the home-court matchup after losing two consecutive games, showed a different version. It was Gary Trent Jr.’ night as the Bucks guard tied a franchise playoff record with nine 3-pointers and scored a playoff career-high 37 points.

Giannis Antetokounmpo finished with 37 points and 12 rebounds on 14-of-19 shooting. Bobby Portis and AJ Green contributed double-digit points off the bench. Milwaukee cut Indiana’s series lead to 2-1 and will host Game 4 on Sunday. Damian Lillard managed only seven points on 2-of-12 shooting. He made just 1-of-8 3-pointers.

Giannis with a monster Game 3.

37 PTS | 12 REB | 6 AST | 74% FG pic.twitter.com/z7imxaOlF3
— Milwaukee Bucks (@Bucks) April 26, 2025

Also Read: NBA Playoffs 2025: Clutch Play from Franz Wagner Guides Orlando Magic Crucial Win over Celtics, Ties All-Time Playoff Head-to Head with Boston

Awful Second-Half Pushes Pacers to Surprising Defeat Despite Taking Double-Digit Lead at Halftime

The Indiana Pacers were heading towards a 3-0 lead when they held a 57-47 advantage at halftime through a late 19-8 run. The Bucks cut the deficit to four points with a 10-2 run, courtesy of Gary Trent Jr’s two 3-pointers. Antetokounmpo’s three-point play helped his team take a lead with 3:16 left in the third quarter. Milwaukee outscored Indiana 39-18 in the third quarter to take a double-digit lead.

The Bucks capitalized on Indiana’s awful offense and stretched their lead to as many as 20 in the final quarter. Gary Trent Jr tied Hall of Famer Ray Allen’s mark for most 3-pointers in a playoff game. He finished with nine 3-pointers in the game and set a franchise record.

9 THREES FOR GARY TRENT JR. 🔥

WHAT A NIGHT FOR THE BUCKS GUARD!#NBAPlayoffs presented by Google on NBA TV pic.twitter.com/0PyGDvRFV6
— NBA (@NBA) April 26, 2025

The Bucks’ 10-0 and 18-6 runs in the fourth quarter pushed Indiana out of the game. Milwaukee, who shot 4 for 23 from 3-point range in the first half, improved to 11-for-18 in the second half. Before defeating the Pacers on Friday, Milwaukee lost six out of seven playoff games, including a 4-2 series loss in the first round last year.

Pascal Siakam led Indiana with 28 points, and Aaron Nesmith added 18. Tyrese Haliburton chipped in 14 points and 10 assists. Antetokounmpo and Trent were the real heroes behind Milwaukee’s thumping win. Both combined to score their team’s first 21 points and score as tied at 26 points in opening quarter.

Mandatory Credit: Michael McLoone-Imagn Images

Gary Trent Jr

Giannis Antetokounmpo

Indiana Pacers

Milwaukee Bucks

Gulshan Sharma

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A native of Jaipur, Rajasthan, journalist, and a complete soccer and basketball fan, he found the huge interest with basketball by watching videos of Allen Iverson and Tony Parker, but fell head over heels in love with the sport during the Warriors’ championship era (2015-2018). A sports game addict since his late PS1, he’s also passionate about the Eagles, Inter Miami and the Fever. He’s fortunate to have seen all his favorite teams win championships. He also has a special love for cricket and football (soccer), where he is a fan of Royal Challengers Bangalore and Barcelona.