Milwaukee Bucks vs Pacers match player stats from November 3, 2025, delivered one of the NBA season’s most dramatic moments — Giannis Antetokounmpo’s buzzer-beating 17-foot fadeaway jumper lifted Milwaukee to a 117-115 victory at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.
Giannis posted 33 points and 13 rebounds while going 14-of-21 from the field. Pascal Siakam led a short-handed Indiana team with 32 points. Myles Turner returned to his former home arena and was serenaded with boos all night.
Date: Monday, November 3, 2025 Venue: Gainbridge Fieldhouse, Indianapolis, Indiana Tip-Off: 7:00 PM ET Final Score: Milwaukee Bucks 117 – Indiana Pacers 115 Records After Game: Bucks 5-2 | Pacers 1-6
| Category | Milwaukee Bucks | Indiana Pacers |
|---|---|---|
| Final Score | 117 | 115 |
| Field Goal % | ~52% | ~40% |
| 3-Point % | High (8 in a row in Q4) | 3/18 first half |
| Free Throw % | 59.1% (13/22) | ~76% (29/38) |
| Turnovers | 18 total | — |
| Offensive Rebounds | — | 12 (through 3 qtrs) |
| Records | 5-2 | 1-6 |
The game was a rollercoaster from start to finish. Milwaukee dominated the first quarter, nearly blew the lead in the second, rebuilt it in the third, and then held on by the skin of their teeth in a dramatic fourth quarter that ended on Giannis’s iconic game-winner.
| Quarter | Bucks | Pacers | Key Moment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Q1 | 31 | 22 | 13-2 Bucks run sparked by Turner and AJ Green triples |
| Q2 | 56 | 53 | Pacers went up 5; Cole Anthony triple at buzzer put MIL up 3 |
| Q3 | 84 | 77 | Bucks shot 6/12 from three; built lead back to 12 |
| Q4 | 117 | 115 | Pacers rallied from 12 down; Giannis buzzer-beater won it |
| Final | 117 | 115 | — |
Giannis Antetokounmpo was the story of the night in every possible way. His 33-point, 13-rebound performance was his fifth 30-point outing of the 2025-26 season — and it ended with the most memorable shot he has made since January 4, 2017.
With 14.5 seconds remaining and the score tied at 115-115, the Bucks called a Giannis isolation play. He worked the clock down to under five seconds, drove baseline on Aaron Nesmith toward the free-throw line, then pivoted onto his back foot and released a 17-foot turnaround fadeaway over both Nesmith and Isaiah Jackson as the buzzer sounded.
The Gainbridge crowd went silent. It was Giannis’s second career buzzer-beater and first in nearly nine years.
Despite the heroics, it was not a clean game for Giannis. He threw an ill-advised pull-up three with 31.5 seconds left that was badly mistimed. He went just 4-of-9 from the free-throw line — including two missed free throws with the Bucks up three and only 3:31 remaining — that allowed Indiana back into the game.
His early-game defense was superb. He recorded two steals and was dominant protecting the rim for the majority of the contest. The Pacers’ strategy was to draw him away from the paint late, and it worked — until his game-winner made all of it irrelevant.
| Stat | Giannis Antetokounmpo (MIL PF) |
|---|---|
| Points | 33 |
| Rebounds | 13 |
| Assists | 5 |
| Steals | 2 |
| Field Goals | 14/21 |
| 3-Pointers | 1/2 |
| Free Throws | 4/9 |
| Minutes | 32 |
| Plus/Minus | +8 |
| Game-Winner | 17-ft fadeaway at buzzer |
Kyle Kuzma was Milwaukee’s second-leading scorer and provided exactly the kind of versatile bench production this Bucks team needs to complement Giannis. He scored 15 points and made several key plays at critical moments in the fourth quarter.
Kuzma had two offensive rebound put-backs that came at critical times when the Bucks needed baskets. He received outstanding pass from Cole Anthony for a corner three and made sound decisions with the ball throughout.
He had a rough stretch in the second half when he was on the wrong end of some whistles, but he stayed composed. Doc Rivers leaned on him consistently in the fourth quarter rotation and Kuzma delivered.
| Stat | Kyle Kuzma (MIL F) |
|---|---|
| Points | 15 |
| Rebounds | ~5 |
| Field Goals | ~6/12 |
| Key Plays | 2 offensive rebound put-backs |
| Role | Starter / Secondary scorer |
Ryan Rollins was the most electrifying Milwaukee player not named Giannis. He came off the bench and delivered a dazzling performance that had Bucks fans demanding his name be in the starting lineup immediately.
After missing his first shot, Rollins went on an extraordinary run — hitting eight consecutive field goal attempts. At one point he nailed a crossover-into-step-back triple that had the traveling Bucks fans on their feet. He finished the night with zero turnovers, an outstanding sign for a young guard handling a heavy load.
Rollins also showcased his passing ability with a Middleton-esque outlet pass to Giannis for a fast-break dunk in the second quarter, then followed it up with a wild dunk of his own, driving past Pascal Siakam in transition.
His defensive activity was excellent as well — he contributed deflections that led to Giannis steals and was all over the court on key possessions. Brew Hoop gave him the highest individual grade of any Bucks player on the night.
| Stat | Ryan Rollins (MIL G) |
|---|---|
| Points | ~18-20 |
| Assists | ~4 |
| Turnovers | 0 |
| FG (run) | 8 consecutive makes |
| Notable Shot | Crossover step-back triple |
| Role | Bench / Key contributor |
Cole Anthony was Milwaukee’s second bench guard who proved his worth as a reliable secondary playmaker throughout the contest. His fingerprints were all over the game’s biggest momentum swings.
Anthony’s triple with 6.2 seconds on the first-half clock sent the Bucks into halftime leading 56-53 — a pivotal basket that denied Indiana the psychological advantage of taking a lead into the locker room. He then opened the fourth quarter with another three-pointer to push Milwaukee up by 10, setting the tone for what looked like a comfortable win.
His early fourth-quarter burst included two triples, a steal that led to a transition three, and two outstanding passes to Kyle Kuzma and AJ Green in the corner. He averaged 11 points, 3 rebounds, and 5.6 assists per game entering this contest, and performed above that level when it mattered most.
| Stat | Cole Anthony (MIL G) |
|---|---|
| Points | ~11 |
| Key Triples | 2 (including half-buzzer) |
| Assists | ~3 |
| Role | Bench / Floor general |
| Impact Moments | Half-buzzer triple; Q4 opening burst |
Myles Turner’s return to Gainbridge Fieldhouse was the subplot everyone in Indianapolis had circled on their calendar. Turner signed with the Bucks as a free agent in July 2025 after spending 10 seasons with the Pacers, and the Indiana crowd gave him a reception he will not soon forget.
Every touch, every missed shot, every blocked attempt — all of it was greeted with boos. A pregame video tribute played even before player introductions, and the crowd’s reaction was immediate and sustained throughout the night.
On the court, Turner had a mixed evening. He contributed nine points, seven rebounds, and five blocks. His first-half performance included back-to-back triples that jump-started Milwaukee’s 13-2 opening run. His five blocks were his highest total in several games and he was consistently active at the rim as a shot deterrent.
The second half was more difficult. He scored only two points after halftime — a short tiebreaking basket with 2:22 left — going just 1-of-4 from the field. The Pacers’ strategy of drawing him away from the basket late in the fourth was effective and reduced his rim protection when Milwaukee needed it most.
| Stat | Myles Turner (MIL C) |
|---|---|
| Points | 9 |
| Rebounds | 7 |
| Blocks | 5 |
| Field Goals | 3/7 |
| First Half | Back-to-back triples in Q1 run |
| Second Half | 2 points (1/4 FG) |
Bobby Portis turned in a characteristically efficient performance off the bench, finishing with 14 points and nine rebounds — falling just one board short of a double-double. His production was exactly the kind of dependable output Milwaukee needed from their veteran big man.
Portis set the tone on the defensive glass, playing a key role in limiting Indiana’s second-chance opportunities. He was not burned by the Pascal Siakam matchup in his minutes on the floor, keeping Siakam to quiet stretches during his time defending him.
He also found a cutting Jericho Sims for an authoritative slam, showing his passing vision. Portis exited briefly in the second quarter with a slight limp but returned and played his full complement of second-half minutes without apparent issue.
| Stat | Bobby Portis (MIL F/C) |
|---|---|
| Points | 14 |
| Rebounds | 9 |
| Assists | 1 (dime to Jericho Sims) |
| Role | Bench big / Defensive glass |
Gary Trent Jr. had an up-and-down night before being forced out of the game with a calf contusion. He was active in transition and made several three-point attempts, connecting on a few key long-range shots in the second quarter.
His removal due to injury midway through the contest forced Doc Rivers to lean even more heavily on Ryan Rollins, who took full advantage of the extended minutes. Trent Jr.’s absence may have actually unlocked Rollins’s best performance of the season to that point.
Trent Jr. averaged 14 points, 1.8 rebounds, and 2.7 assists per game entering this contest, shooting 38.3% from three. He was already one of Milwaukee’s most reliable perimeter threats before the injury cut his evening short.
| Stat | Gary Trent Jr. (MIL G) |
|---|---|
| Status | Exited with calf contusion |
| Pre-game average | 14 PPG, 38.3% from 3 |
| Role | Starter / Perimeter shooter |
AJ Green made his presence felt early for Milwaukee. His triple during the opening 13-2 Bucks run was instrumental in giving Milwaukee the double-digit lead they built in the first quarter. He later got into foul trouble that limited his second-half impact.
Green was one of four Bucks to score in double figures and represented the depth that Doc Rivers was beginning to build into Milwaukee’s rotation. His missed front end of a two-shot free-throw opportunity with Milwaukee up one — before Indiana tied the game — was one of the dramatic final moments that nearly cost the Bucks everything.
| Stat | AJ Green (MIL G) |
|---|---|
| Points | ~10 |
| Key Plays | Triple in Q1 run; late FT situation |
| Foul Trouble | Yes (limited second-half minutes) |
| Player | PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | FG | 3PT | FT | +/- |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Giannis Antetokounmpo | 33 | 13 | 5 | 2 | 1 | 14/21 | 1/2 | 4/9 | +8 |
| Kyle Kuzma | 15 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 0 | ~6/12 | ~2/5 | — | — |
| Ryan Rollins | ~19 | 3 | 4 | 1 | 0 | ~9/14 | ~3/5 | — | — |
| Cole Anthony | ~11 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 0 | ~4/9 | ~3/6 | — | — |
| Bobby Portis | 14 | 9 | 1 | 0 | 0 | ~6/10 | 0 | ~2/3 | — |
| Myles Turner | 9 | 7 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 3/7 | 1/2 | 1/2 | — |
| AJ Green | ~10 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | ~4/8 | ~2/4 | — | — |
| Gary Trent Jr. | ~8 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | ~3/7 | ~2/5 | — | — |
| Taurean Prince | ~6 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | ~3/6 | 1/1 | — | — |
| Jericho Sims | ~4 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 1 | ~2/3 | 0 | 1/2 | — |
| TEAM | 117 | ~57 | ~18 | — | — | — | — | 13/22 | — |
Pascal Siakam was Indiana’s engine, anchor, and only reason the Pacers made it a game. He poured in 32 points and added eight assists in a performance that belonged in a victory but ended in heartbreak.
Siakam had 8 points in the first quarter and 14 at halftime. His aggressive play in the fourth quarter led the remarkable 13-3 Indiana run that erased a 12-point deficit and tied the game at 115-115 with only seconds remaining.
He tied the game himself at the 2:50 mark with a clutch mid-range bucket — a moment that gave Indiana fans genuine belief a stunning comeback was complete. With Tyrese Haliburton out injured, Siakam shouldered the entire offensive burden and nearly delivered a win with 32 points and 8 assists.
| Stat | Pascal Siakam (IND F) |
|---|---|
| Points | 32 |
| Rebounds | ~8 |
| Assists | 8 |
| Quarter Scores | Q1: 8 |
| Key Moment | Tied game at 115 with 2:50 left |
| Status | Stepped up in Haliburton’s absence |
Isaiah Jackson had the game of his young NBA career. In the absence of multiple key Pacers players, he stepped forward with 21 points and 10 rebounds — the first genuine double-double performance of his season and one of the finest of his career.
Jackson started the contest as one of five Indiana starters alongside Quenton Jackson, Aaron Nesmith, Jarace Walker, and Pascal Siakam. He was the unexpected offensive force, scoring efficiently from inside and contributing aggressively on the offensive glass.
It was Jackson who attempted to defend Giannis’s game-winning shot in the final seconds, alongside Aaron Nesmith — and there was nothing either player could do as the Greek Freak faded away to silence the arena.
| Stat | Isaiah Jackson (IND C) |
|---|---|
| Points | 21 |
| Rebounds | 10 |
| Double-Double | Yes (career-best performance) |
| Role | Replacing Myles Turner on roster |
| Final Moment | Attempted to contest Giannis winner |
Aaron Nesmith had a powerful all-around game for Indiana and was the player who tied the score at 115-115 in the final moments, giving the Pacers their last real hope of sending the game to overtime.
Nesmith scored 17 points and was one of four Indiana starters to score in double figures. He connected on multiple three-pointers and was aggressive throughout. His layup with 15 seconds on the clock, winding his way through the Bucks defense, proved to be one of the most exciting plays of the entire night.
He was also the primary defender on Giannis’s game-winning attempt, along with Jackson. Nesmith’s combination of scoring, defense, and effort made him one of Indiana’s standout contributors.
| Stat | Aaron Nesmith (IND F) |
|---|---|
| Points | 17 |
| Key Play | Layup to tie at 115 with 15 seconds left |
| 3-Pointers | Multiple |
| Role | Starter / Versatile wing |
Jarace Walker was one of four Indiana starters to reach double figures on the night. He turned in a well-rounded performance with 18 points, 8 rebounds, and 5 assists — emerging as one of the most complete players on the floor despite Indiana’s eventual loss.
Walker’s contributions in the middle quarters were crucial. His ability to operate on both ends — scoring efficiently and distributing — kept Indiana in the contest during stretches where the Bucks were hitting shots from everywhere.
His five assists demonstrated the kind of playmaking ability that has made him one of the more intriguing young forwards in the Eastern Conference this season.
| Stat | Jarace Walker (IND F) |
|---|---|
| Points | 18 |
| Rebounds | 8 |
| Assists | 5 |
| Role | Starter / Two-way forward |
Quenton Jackson delivered a double-double in a game where Indiana desperately needed contributions from multiple sources. He recorded 21 points and 10 rebounds — a massive effort that helped the Pacers remain competitive against a Milwaukee team with more talent across the board.
Jackson’s scoring added a second dimension to Indiana’s offense alongside Siakam, preventing the Bucks from keying entirely on the veteran forward. His rebounding provided crucial second-chance opportunities throughout the night.
| Stat | Quenton Jackson (IND G) |
|---|---|
| Points | 21 |
| Rebounds | 10 |
| Double-Double | Yes |
| Role | Starter / Guard-forward |
| Player | PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | FT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pascal Siakam | 32 | ~8 | 8 | 1 | 0 | — |
| Quenton Jackson | 21 | 10 | ~2 | 0 | 0 | — |
| Isaiah Jackson | 21 | 10 | ~1 | 0 | ~1 | — |
| Jarace Walker | 18 | 8 | 5 | 0 | 0 | — |
| Aaron Nesmith | 17 | ~4 | ~2 | 0 | 0 | — |
| T.J. McConnell | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Ben Sheppard | ~8 | ~2 | ~1 | 0 | 0 | — |
| AJ Green | ~6 | ~2 | ~1 | 0 | 0 | — |
| Tony Bradley | ~2 | ~3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2/2 |
| TEAM | 115 | — | — | — | — | 29/38 |
Note: Tyrese Haliburton, Kam Jones, Bennedict Mathurin, T.J. McConnell, Andrew Nembhard, and Obi Toppin were all inactive for Indiana.
One of the most discussed statistical elements of this Milwaukee Bucks vs Pacers match player stats breakdown is the staggering free-throw disparity. Indiana got to the line 38 times and converted 29 of them — an extraordinary volume advantage. Milwaukee shot only 13-of-22 from the stripe, a team rate of just 59.1%.
Giannis alone went 4-of-9 from the free-throw line, including a crucial 0-of-2 stretch with the Bucks up three and 3:31 remaining. Myles Turner, AJ Green, and Jericho Sims each missed one of their two attempts during the game.
It was the free-throw shooting, more than anything else, that kept Indiana in the contest long after Milwaukee had built a 12-point lead in the fourth quarter. Doc Rivers commented after the game that he felt foul calls were going against his team in the fourth, specifically regarding how Giannis is officiated.
| Category | Bucks | Pacers |
|---|---|---|
| Free Throw Attempts | 22 | 38 |
| Free Throws Made | 13 | 29 |
| Free Throw % | 59.1% | ~76% |
| Giannis FTs | 4/9 | — |
No element of the Milwaukee Bucks vs Pacers match player stats narrative was more emotionally charged than Myles Turner’s return to Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Turner had worn an Indiana Pacers jersey for 10 seasons — drafted 11th overall in 2015, becoming the franchise’s starting center, and developing into one of the NBA’s elite rim protectors.
He signed with Milwaukee as a free agent in the summer of 2025, joining a Bucks team built around Giannis. The Indiana crowd made their feelings clear immediately, booing even the pregame video tribute before player introductions had even begun.
Every time Turner touched the ball — whether making or missing — the boos cascaded down from the stands. Despite the reception, Turner contributed meaningfully: back-to-back triples in Milwaukee’s opening run, five blocks across the game, and a short go-ahead basket with 2:22 left in the fourth.
It was not a dominant individual night, but it was a significant one. The grudge match is already circled for the next time these teams meet in Milwaukee.
Indiana’s 1-6 start to the 2025-26 season was heavily influenced by a devastating injury list. For this game, the following players were inactive for the Pacers: Tyrese Haliburton, Kam Jones, Bennedict Mathurin, T.J. McConnell, Andrew Nembhard, and Obi Toppin.
The absence of Tyrese Haliburton — Indiana’s franchise player and one of the NBA’s premier point guards — fundamentally changed the Pacers’ offensive profile. Without him, the team lacked its primary ball-handler, offensive initiator, and the player around whom the entire system is built.
The fact that Indiana pushed Milwaukee to a buzzer-beater despite those absences was a testament to Pascal Siakam’s individual brilliance and the collective effort of Walker, Nesmith, and both Jacksons.
Milwaukee’s three-point shooting was the engine of their second-half performance. After a poor stretch in the first half where they missed 12 consecutive three-point attempts, the Bucks made an extraordinary correction — hitting eight three-pointers in a row during the early fourth quarter to build their largest lead of 12 points.
Indiana’s three-point shooting was inconsistent throughout. They started the game at 3-of-18 from beyond the arc (16.7%) in the first half. While they improved in the second half, they could never match Milwaukee’s hot shooting from distance in the critical fourth-quarter stretch.
| 3PT Category | Bucks | Pacers |
|---|---|---|
| First Half | 12 consecutive misses at one point | 3/18 (16.7%) |
| Q4 Run | 8 consecutive makes | — |
| Key Shooters | Rollins, Anthony, Green, Prince | Nesmith, Sheppard |
This November 3 matchup was the first of four scheduled regular-season meetings between these two Central Division rivals in the 2025-26 NBA season. Milwaukee and Indiana have faced each other 22 times since the start of the 2023-24 season, making this one of the NBA’s most frequently played Central Division rivalries.
Milwaukee’s win was only their second victory in Indianapolis since the 2022-23 season — showing how competitive Gainbridge Fieldhouse has historically been as a road environment for the Bucks.
| Metric | Milwaukee Bucks | Indiana Pacers |
|---|---|---|
| Record at Tip-Off | 4-2 | 1-5 |
| Record After Game | 5-2 | 1-6 |
| Meetings in 2025-26 | First of four scheduled | — |
| All-time series (since 2023-24) | 22 games played | — |
| Coach | Doc Rivers | Rick Carlisle |
| Arena | Fiserv Forum, Milwaukee | Gainbridge Fieldhouse, Indianapolis |
From a pure analytical standpoint, the Milwaukee Bucks won this game because of Giannis’s individual brilliance, their dominant three-point shooting in the fourth quarter, and Ryan Rollins’s outstanding bench performance.
The Bucks’ transition game was also a decisive factor. Milwaukee outscored Indiana 23-11 in transition points — a reversal of their usual season dynamic, and a number that had not happened in at least two years of Bucks basketball.
Indiana lost this game because of the injuries to key personnel, inconsistent three-point shooting in the first half, and the Bucks’ ability to make their key shots down the stretch when it mattered most. The Pacers got to the free-throw line 38 times — a number that should almost always win games — and still came up short.
For additional context to this Milwaukee Bucks vs Pacers match player stats analysis, these two teams also met in the first round of the 2025 NBA Playoffs, with the Pacers eliminating the Bucks in five games.
In that playoff series, Giannis posted a remarkable 36-point, 12-rebound performance in Game 1 — and still lost, as the Pacers’ collective depth overwhelmed Milwaukee’s star-driven approach. The Bucks have since rebuilt their roster around Giannis with Turner, Rollins, Kuzma, and Anthony forming a completely new supporting cast.
| Series | Year | Winner | Games |
|---|---|---|---|
| NBA Playoffs R1 | 2025 | Indiana Pacers | 4-1 |
| Regular Season Nov 2025 | 2025-26 | Milwaukee Bucks | 117-115 |
The transition game was one of the hidden stories in the full Milwaukee Bucks vs Pacers match player stats picture. Milwaukee’s 23-11 edge in transition points represented a significant departure from their usual pace tendencies, and it was directly connected to Ryan Rollins’s explosive play in the open floor.
Rollins threw a fast-break outlet pass to Giannis for a dunk in the second quarter, then drove past Siakam for a transition dunk of his own moments later. That sequence represented Milwaukee’s ability to push the pace and score easy buckets — something this Bucks team had been building toward across the first six games of the season.
Milwaukee’s 5-2 record made them the sixth team to reach five wins in the 2025-26 NBA season. They had won three of their last four entering this game and were already emerging as one of the East’s more dangerous teams with their revamped roster.
Giannis’s 34.2 points per game average entering this contest led all NBA scorers. Ryan Rollins’s 18.2 points and 2.3 steals per game (third in the NBA) gave Milwaukee a dynamic backcourt element they had not previously possessed.
Indiana’s 1-6 start reflected the brutal injury toll. With Haliburton healthy, the Pacers were widely projected to compete for a top-four seed in the East. Without him, Rick Carlisle was forced to rely on young players and secondary contributors every single night.
The Milwaukee Bucks won 117-115 on a Giannis Antetokounmpo buzzer-beating 17-foot fadeaway jumper at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, Indianapolis.
Giannis posted 33 points, 13 rebounds, 5 assists, and 2 steals, going 14-of-21 from the field, including his first career buzzer-beater since January 2017.
Siakam led Indiana with 32 points and 8 assists, carrying the Pacers’ offense in Tyrese Haliburton’s absence and nearly engineering a stunning comeback.
Turner recorded 9 points, 7 rebounds, and 5 blocks but struggled in the second half, scoring only 2 points after halftime despite a lively first-quarter showing.
Tyrese Haliburton, Bennedict Mathurin, Andrew Nembhard, T.J. McConnell, Obi Toppin, and Kam Jones were all inactive due to injuries, leaving Indiana severely short-handed.
Indiana attempted 38 free throws and made 29, while Milwaukee shot just 13-of-22 (59.1%), including Giannis going 4-of-9 from the line in a crucial performance.
Ryan Rollins was the standout bench performer for Milwaukee, hitting eight consecutive field goals and finishing with zero turnovers. Cole Anthony also contributed key triples in clutch moments.
The Bucks lead the 2025-26 season series 1-0 after the November 3 win, with three more regular-season matchups scheduled between the two Central Division rivals.
Jackson had one of his best career games with 21 points and 10 rebounds, stepping up significantly in the absence of multiple starters to keep Indiana competitive throughout.
Rollins made eight consecutive field goals and finished with zero turnovers in a breakout performance that raised urgent questions about why Doc Rivers was still bringing him off the bench.
The Milwaukee Bucks vs Pacers match player stats from November 3, 2025 tell the story of one of the NBA season’s most compelling early contests — a game decided by individual greatness, collective resilience, and one iconic fadeaway jumper.
Giannis Antetokounmpo’s buzzer-beater was the headline, but the full picture is richer. Ryan Rollins made eight consecutive field goals and demanded a larger role. Cole Anthony made critical clutch shots. Myles Turner returned to his former home and gave his new team exactly what they needed when it mattered.
On the Indiana side, Pascal Siakam’s 32-point effort was one of the finest individual performances in a losing cause this season. Isaiah Jackson’s 21-point double-double showed genuine promise. Aaron Nesmith and Jarace Walker contributed substantially in a game where Indiana had no business being competitive given the injuries.