Even Damian Lillard’s return could not save the Bucks from falling to a 0-2 hole in their East first-round duel against the Indiana Pacers.
But Milwaukee head coach Doc Rivers remained upbeat on his team’s chances as the series now goes to the Deer district for Games 3 and 4.
"I'm very confident about [our chances] this series," Rivers told reporters in the aftermath of a 123-115 loss to the Pacers in Game 2 on Wednesday (PH time), April 23.
"I'm very confident about this series. Very."
— NBA TV (@NBATV) April 23, 2025
Doc Rivers believes Milwaukee can turn the series around at home 🗣?
For the second straight game, Milwaukee had a slow start and trailed by as many as 16 points in the opening frame.
The Bucks, however, rallied in the fourth thanks to a 13-0 run to cut the Pacers lead to 115-113 with 2:33 seconds left.
That’s when Pascal Siakam hit a timely triple to spur the 8-2 closing run that closed it out.
Giannis Antetokounmpo posted 34 points, 18 rebounds, and seven assists, but it wasn’t enough as the Bucks lost for a third straight playoff game to the Pacers dating back to the last postseason.
“It's kind of hard to play from behind. Both games, both halves, they were really able to set the tone, get that feel. [We] need to play with more urgency at the start of the game, start of the half," the two-time MVP insisted.
Lillard chipped in 14 markers in his first game back from deep vein thrombosis in his right calf. But the 34-year-old struggled offensively, shooting just 4-of-13 from the field overall including 1-of-6 from deep in the second half.
Dame gets his first bucket to go in his return ??
— NBA TV (@NBATV) April 22, 2025
"It felt pretty good, given the fact that I haven't played in so long," Lillard said. "Jumping back into a playoff game, I'd say it felt pretty good. I felt pretty solid," the nine-time All-Star spoke.
Rivers elected to play Lillard, who played last March 18 before suiting up today for 37 minutes for the second-most behind Antetokounmpo’s 40.
"Down the stretch I just kept him in, I used it sort of as conditioning. He was exhausted and I saw that, and I thought, 'Just let him blow it because we've got two days to recover.' That's basically why I kept him in," the 2008 champion coach noted.
Now comes what could prove the harder part for the Bucks -- protect their home court, claw their way back into the series, and avoid a third straight first-round exit.
“We have to go home and take care of business,” Rivers emphasized.
Milwaukee should or else, another disappointing season could spell some, if not major, offseason changes for the squad.
