Lillard takes the lead in Giannis absence to lead Bucks over Pacers

Damian Lillard’s explosive performance propelled the Milwaukee Bucks to 109-94 victory in their playoff opener against the Indiana Pacers, demonstrating their ability to thrive even without Giannis Antetokounmpo on the court.

Lillard put on a scoring clinic, notching an impressive 35 points in the first half alone, setting a Bucks record for points in either half of a playoff game. Despite a second-half defensive focus from the Pacers, Lillard’s early onslaught proved insurmountable.

Antetokounmpo’s absence due to a strained left calf didn’t hinder the Bucks, thanks to Lillard’s heroics. His remarkable scoring spree provided a much-needed boost for Milwaukee in the absence of their star player. With the series now at 1-0 in favor of the Bucks, they will aim to maintain their momentum in Game 2, scheduled for Tuesday in Milwaukee.

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On the other side, Pascal Siakam led the charge for the Pacers with an impressive performance, tallying 36 points and 13 rebounds. However, the Pacers struggled from beyond the arc, shooting just 8 of 39 from 3-point range, a significant factor in their defeat. Despite their offensive firepower during the regular season, the Pacers couldn’t find their rhythm against the Bucks’ defense, ultimately falling short in their playoff opener.