Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images

Pacers vs. Bucks: Tyrese Haliburton’s Game-Winner in Final Seconds Eliminates Giannis and Bucks from NBA Playoffs 2025

Haliburton hit a go-ahead layup with 1.3 seconds left to eliminate the Bucks from the NBA Playoffs.

Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images

Tyrese Haliburton’s game-winner in the final seconds of the overtime assured the Indiana Pacers a 119-118 victory and a 4-1 series win against the Milwaukee Bucks. This is the second straight year when the Pacers squeezed past the Bucks to reach the conference semifinals. Last year, Indiana overcame Milwaukee 4-2 in the Eastern Conference first-round.

Haliburton scored 26 points and 10 assists to overshadow Giannis Antetokounmpo’s triple-double. Two-time MVP finished with 30 points, 20 rebounds and 13 assists, and Gary Trent Jr. added 33 points, including eight 3-pointers. Giannis and Haliburton’s father also exchanged words after the game, which went viral on social media.

Giannis Antetokounmpo exchanges words with Haliburton's dad after the game pic.twitter.com/JZiQEY9HxG
— MrBuckBuck (@MrBuckBuckNBA) April 30, 2025

Also Read: WATCH: Giannis Antetokounmpo and Tyrese Haliburton’s Father Involve in Heated Argument after Pacers Eliminate Bucks in NBA Playoffs 2025

Pacers Close Overtime with an 8-0 Run to Eliminate Bucks for Second Successive Season

After going 1-3 down in the series, the Bucks started the game on a high note and outscored the Pacers 30-13 in the opening quarter. Indiana rallied back and reduced the deficit to six points at halftime. Both teams remain tied at 75 as the third quarter ends.

Indiana went on a 9-0 run to take a 4-point lead, and it was going towards a toe-to-toe finish. Milwaukee regained the lead in the final seconds. Haliburton dropped a layup and free throws, followed by a dunk with ten seconds left to tie the game at 103 points.

Gary Trent Jr hit two three-pointers to help Milwaukee take a crucial lead of seven points with less than a minute to go. The Pacers forced two turnovers in the final 29 seconds, and Haliburton hit a go-ahead layup with 1.3 seconds left to eliminate the Bucks from the NBA playoffs 2025. Haliburton improved to 9-0 in home playoff games.

INCREDIBLE.

Tyrese Haliburton overtime game-winner to advance. pic.twitter.com/Smau9ScsJY
— Indiana Pacers (@Pacers) April 30, 2025

Myles Turner scored 21 points and had nine rebounds for the Pacers. Aaron Nesmith chipped in 19 points and 12 rebounds, while Nembhard added 15, including a 3-pointer to start his team’s closing 8-0 run.

Also Read: Giannis Antetokounmpo Trade Rumors – Giannis Trade Rumors, Exit From Bucks Speculations Escalate After Damian Lillard’s Injury

In an effort to avoid a third straight first-round exit, Bucks coach Doc Rivers plugged guards AJ Green and Kevin Porter Jr. and forward Bobby Portis Jr. into the starting lineup. The Bucks were missing 10-time All-Star Damian Lillard, who tore his left Achilles tendon in Game 4 on Sunday night.

The Indiana Pacers will now take on the top seed, the Cleveland Cavaliers, in the Eastern Conference semifinals. The Cavs advanced to the second round after securing the third-largest playoff win in NBA history against the Miami Heat. The Pacers own the regular-season series 3-1 against the Cavs, including a famous double-overtime win on Apr. 13.

Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images

Giannis Antetokounmpo

Indiana Pacers

Tyrese Haliburton

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.