Milwaukee Bucks vs Pacers Match Player Stats & Recap (Apr 2025)

In April 2025, the Milwaukee Bucks and Indiana Pacers went head-to-head in a nail-biting game that kept fans hooked the whole time. Right from the start, it was obvious both teams were fighting hard, knowing that every single play counted. This article’s gonna dig deep into the Milwaukee Bucks vs Pacers match player stats and break down who showed up big and what moments changed the game.

You could see it from the tip-off — star players trying to carry their teams, but also role players stepping up and making some noise. It wasn’t just about scoring either; defense and hustle played huge parts. This game was more than just numbers; it was about heart and strategy too.

If you’ve been following this series, you know how important this final game was, and we’ll walk you through all the juicy details, stats, and key plays. So, whether you’re here to check the box scores or just relive those intense moments, stick around for a full breakdown of the Milwaukee Bucks vs Pacers match player stats and how the game went down.

Milwaukee Bucks vs Pacers Match Player Stats

April 22, 2025 — Bucks vs Pacers was a wild ride. Both teams came ready to scrap, but honestly, the Pacers just played smarter for most of it. They kept things balanced, and that messed with Milwaukee’s rhythm.

Giannis? Yeah, he did his thing like always — dropped 34 points and grabbed 18 boards. Dude are everywhere. And he wasn’t just scoring, he threw in 7 assists too. The man’s an all-around monster. Bobby Portis caught fire from deep, hitting six threes. Ended up with 28 points and 12 rebounds. That kind of shooting keeps a team alive.

Now, Damian Lillard? Not his best night. Shot about 30%, and you could tell he wasn’t quite right out there. Still, he managed 14 points and 7 assists, so credit for fighting through it. Kyle Kuzma did his part, putting up 12 points and pulling down a few rebounds. Brook Lopez came off the bench and made his presence felt on defense — 8 points and 4 blocks. Solid.

But here’s the thing — even with all that, the Bucks couldn’t keep pace when it counted. Pacers were just too steady. Here’s a quick look at how the Bucks played:

The Pacers came out playing smart and spread things out on offense. Pascal Siakam was solid all night—putting up 24 points, never missing a free throw, and snagging 11 boards. He also kept things tight inside on defense. Tyrese Haliburton was like the team’s quarterback, dropping 21 points and handing out 12 assists, running the offense like a pro. Aaron Nesmith was straight fire from deep, hitting 4 of 5 threes and scoring 16 points—definitely his night to shine.

Myles Turner chipped in with 15 points and swatted away a couple of shots, while Andrew Nembhard quietly did his thing, scoring 17 points on 60% shooting and adding 6 assists to keep the Pacers ticking. The team knocked down 44.4% of their threes overall, thanks to shooters like Nesmith and Nembhard keeping the Bucks guessing.

Here’s a quick look at the Pacers’ key stats:

Key Performances & Player Impact

This game turned into a showcase for both teams’ stars, each leaving a distinct mark. For Milwaukee, it was Giannis Antetokounmpo doing what only he can—dominating with relentless force. He dropped 34 points on 70% shooting, powered through double-teams, and snagged 18 rebounds. Every time the Bucks needed a lift, Giannis either bullied his way to the basket or crashed the glass. He didn’t attempt a single three but controlled the paint like it was his arena.

On the other side, Pascal Siakam played a near-flawless two-way game. His 24 points came on efficient shooting, but it wasn’t just scoring—Siakam hit all six of his free throws and pulled down 11 boards. He kept Indiana’s offense steady and made big defensive plays down the stretch, helping anchor their interior presence when the Bucks started forcing the issue inside. Siakam’s timing and instincts were crucial during Milwaukee’s runs.

Tyrese Haliburton showed exactly why he’s the Pacers’ engine. His 21 points and 12 assists weren’t just numbers—they were the reason the Pacers’ offense hummed. He controlled the pace, constantly shifted the defense with his court vision, and found shooters like Nesmith and Nembhard in rhythm. Haliburton’s decision-making under pressure stood out; he didn’t force shots, yet always stayed aggressive.

And then there was Bobby Portis, who brought instant energy. His 28 points and 12 rebounds added serious weight to Milwaukee’s attack. Portis knocked down six threes and spread the floor, forcing the Pacers’ defense to stretch. That spacing opened lanes for Giannis, but Portis also did his damage, hitting timely shots whenever the Bucks needed to stop a Pacers’ run.

In a high-stakes game, the stars didn’t hide. They stepped up. They battled. And more than anything, they made this playoff matchup feel like a heavyweight duel.

Team Shooting & Efficiency Breakdown

This game didn’t come down to just who shot better—it was about when they hit those shots. Milwaukee actually had the better field goal percentage at 52.3%, but somehow, Indiana felt sharper. Their ball movement created cleaner looks, especially from beyond the arc, and that’s where they pulled ahead. The Pacers hit 44.4% from three, while the Bucks sat at 35.5%. Big gap. Nesmith and Nembhard were nails from deep, and that spacing opened everything up.

Free throws told a similar story. The Pacers went 16-for-18. That’s nearly perfect, 88.9%, and they didn’t blink at the line—not even late. Milwaukee? Just 66.7% (12-for-18). That’s not gonna cut it in a playoff game, especially with Giannis missing four on his own.

Turnovers? Pretty even. Pacers had 6, Bucks had 7. But Indiana turned those into points fast. Felt like every mistake Milwaukee made ended in a bucket the other way. Rebounds were close too—Bucks had 41, Pacers grabbed 38—but in the final minutes, Indiana snatched some clutch boards that kept the Bucks from second chances.

So yeah, the numbers don’t look wildly different at first glance. But Indiana was just a little cleaner, a little calmer, and a lot more timely. That’s how you steal a game on the road.

Crucial Moments & Turning Points

This game had mood swings like playoff basketball should. Milwaukee came out firing, and it looked like the night might belong to Giannis and Portis. In the first half, the Bucks built momentum off a barrage of mid-range makes and strong inside finishes. Giannis bullied his way through defenders, and Bobby Portis’ hot hand from three had Indiana scrambling. They led by 10 midway through the second quarter, and everything pointed to the Bucks controlling the tempo.

But that’s when Indiana shifted gears. Tyrese Haliburton, quite early, began orchestrating in transition. He found Nembhard and Nesmith for clean corner threes, which cracked Milwaukee’s perimeter defense. Pascal Siakam started finding his rhythm, too, hitting back-to-back jumpers that capped a 13–2 run and cut the lead to just one before halftime.

The third quarter was where the tide fully turned. Indiana went on a 17–6 run out of the break, forcing turnovers and punishing the Bucks on the fast break. Damian Lillard struggled to get going, and with him cold, the Bucks’ offense stagnated. Meanwhile, Haliburton threaded a brilliant alley-oop to Isaiah Jackson and later nailed a deep step-back three that sent the crowd into a frenzy.

Down the stretch, Milwaukee made one last push. Giannis hit a clutch layup through contact, and Portis drilled his sixth three with under three minutes left to pull within two. But when it mattered most, the Pacers executed. A dagger triple from Nesmith and a pair of calm free throws from Siakam sealed it.

It wasn’t just about who played better—it was about who stayed calm. And when the pressure mounted, Indiana answered every time.

Tactical & Defensive Analysis

This wasn’t just offense vs. offense. Both teams came in with adjustments, but it was Indiana’s defense that made the difference when it counted.

The Pacers came out switching everything on the perimeter. That slowed down Damian Lillard, who had trouble getting clean looks off screens. Myles Turner played a major role here—anchoring the paint, contesting drives, and swatting away two key shots that would’ve easily been layups in most games. He didn’t overhelp, stayed disciplined, and forced Milwaukee’s guards to settle for tougher shots in the midrange.

Pascal Siakam’s defensive presence often gets overlooked, but not in this one. He kept his man in front, battled in the post, and grabbed 11 rebounds—many of them while fending off multiple bodies. On the perimeter, Aaron Nesmith and Andrew Nembhard were relentless, jumping passing lanes and forcing the Bucks into awkward late-clock possessions. Nembhard’s quick hands led to a steal that turned into a fast break bucket—a small play, but one that shifted energy.

Milwaukee’s game plan focused on drawing switches and letting Giannis attack smaller defenders. That worked early, but Indiana tightened up. They started throwing soft doubles, then rotating quickly, forcing Giannis to give it up. The Bucks tried to adapt with more off-ball screens, but the Pacers stayed connected.

Bottom line: Indiana didn’t just defend—they adapted. And that’s what won them the game.

Bench Contributions & Role Players

This game wasn’t just won by the stars—it was shaped by the unsung efforts of the benches. For the Pacers, T.J. McConnell brought a burst of energy in limited minutes. His box score didn’t explode, but he controlled the pace, made smart reads, and dished out 4 assists with zero turnovers. Obi Toppin chipped in 7 points and 4 rebounds, helping the Pacers maintain momentum when the starters sat.

On Milwaukee’s side, the bench unit gave mixed results. Pat Connaughton hit a timely three and grabbed 5 rebounds, but overall, the Bucks’ bench couldn’t match Indiana’s pace. Beasley, who usually provides a scoring spark, went cold and couldn’t find a rhythm. The lack of efficient bench scoring put more pressure on the starters, especially in the fourth.

What made Indiana’s role players stand out was how they filled gaps. Whether it was defense, hustle, or movement without the ball, they didn’t try to do too much—they just did enough. Those small edges added up.

Bench Player Stats Table

Series Context & What This Win Means

This win means a lot for the Pacers — it shakes up the series. Now that it’s tied, the momentum seems to lean toward Indiana going into the next game. These two teams have had some close fights in the past, and this game was no different. The Pacers showed they can hang tough and get the job done, especially against a strong Bucks team.

For Milwaukee, this loss isn’t great news. They’ll need to bounce back fast or risk falling behind. Usually, their star players and deep bench help them out, but this time, Indiana’s balanced scoring and defense gave them problems. The series isn’t over yet, but the Pacers sent a message—they’re here to battle every minute on the court.

Looking forward, this win gives the Pacers a boost mentally. It proves their plan works and their role players can step up when it counts. On the other hand, the Bucks have to regroup and figure out how to deal with the Pacers’ shooting and defense. Things just got more intense — every possession will count from here on out.

Looking Ahead: What to Expect Next in the Series

Looking ahead, this series is heating up and we can expect some real battles in the next games. Both teams showed their strengths, but also some clear weaknesses that the other will try to exploit. For the Pacers, their perimeter shooting and ball movement have been huge, so watching if they keep knocking down those threes will be key. Players like Nesmith and Nembhard could keep making a big difference if they stay hot from deep.

The Bucks, on the other hand, will probably lean more on Giannis and Portis to control the paint and get easy points inside. They’ll also need to tighten up their defense, especially on those three-point shooters, and try to limit turnovers better. If Milwaukee can improve its free-throw shooting, that could swing close games their way.

One thing to watch is how both teams adjust defensively—whether Indiana can slow down Giannis without fouling or if Milwaukee can disrupt the Pacers’ rhythm on offense. Bench contributions might also be crucial; whoever gets more energy and production from their reserves could tip the scales.

All in all, expect a tight, intense series with both teams fighting hard. Every possession will matter, and small details could decide the next few games.

For a full series recap and detailed stats from earlier games, check out our complete breakdown of the Knicks vs Pacers playoff series.

Conclusion

To wrap it up, the Pacers vs Bucks match player stats tell the story of a close game where smart shooting and solid defense swung the momentum. Indiana’s team effort, especially from beyond the arc, gave them the edge over Milwaukee’s star-powered inside game. Both teams showed what they’re capable of, but also left room to improve. With the series heating up, fans should expect more tight contests as each team adjusts and fights harder. This game really showed how every player’s role counts in a playoff battle like this.

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Henry Philips

Henry Philip is the Lead Publisher at vcemagazine.com, where he helps drive the site’s mission to deliver sharp, detailed sports statistics and in-depth analysis. With a strong background in research, Henry has a knack for diving deep into data across a wide range of matches and sporting events, making sure every piece is packed with meaningful insights and accuracy.
Before joining the team, he built his experience at several local platforms, where he honed his skills in sports reporting and data analysis. Now, at vcemagazine.com, he’s fully focused on producing the kind of high-quality, comprehensive stats-driven content that serious fans and analysts rely on. Henry’s work is all about precision, authenticity, and delivering the facts — and he takes pride in getting it right.