Milwaukee Bucks Stun Indiana Pacers with Gary Trent Jr’s Sizzling Performance
The Milwaukee Bucks breathed new life into their playoff series against the Indiana Pacers, thanks to a scintillating display from Gary Trent Jr, who scored 37 points and knocked down nine three-pointers to lead his team to a 117-101 victory. According to ESPN, Trent’s impressive performance tied Ray Allen for the most three-pointers in a playoff game in Bucks history.
Trent’s remarkable display was enough to inspire the Bucks to a crucial win, as they trailed 2-1 in the series prior to the match. The Bucks’ head coach, Doc Rivers, had made a tactical decision to insert Trent into the starting lineup ahead of Game 3, in a bid to challenge Pacers star Tyrese Haliburton on both sides of the ball. As ESPN reported, Rivers’ gamble paid off, as Trent provided a much-needed boost to the team’s offense.
"It’s really a blessing, a testament to my hard work and everything that I put into it," Trent said, as quoted by ESPN. "A big fan of Ray Allen as a kid, I watched him accomplish great things as a Buck, as a Celtic, just followed his whole career, the way he shot the basketball. So, to be in that group, your name near him as a shooter, it’s a great thing for me."
The Bucks’ victory was also fueled by an impressive performance from Giannis Antetokounmpo, who scored 37 points on 14-of-19 shooting, along with 12 rebounds and six assists. According to ESPN, Antetokounmpo and Trent became the first Bucks duo to each score at least 35 points in a playoff game.
The Pacers, who had been dominant in the series until now, struggled to contain Trent’s hot shooting, particularly in the third quarter, when he knocked down five three-pointers and scored 18 points. The Bucks outscored the Pacers by 21 points in the quarter, their largest differential in a playoff quarter since the 2021 Eastern Conference finals.
"We didn’t get enough stops," said Haliburton, who finished with 14 points and 10 assists, as quoted by ESPN. "It starts with me. I got to be better. … That third quarter really came back to bite us."
The Bucks will look to build on this momentum in Game 4, which takes place on Sunday night in Milwaukee. As ESPN reported, Rivers emphasized the importance of humility in victory, while also acknowledging that the Pacers will not give up easily.
"They’re not going away," Rivers said, as quoted by ESPN. "They’re going to play the same way and we got to come back and bring it again. We just can’t relent. We won one game."
The Bucks’ win was a testament to the team’s resilience and adaptability, as they looked to Trent to provide a spark in a crucial playoff game. As ESPN noted, Trent’s performance was a reminder of the importance of hard work and dedication, as he overcame a tough shooting slump to deliver a career-best performance.
Damian Lillard, who made his second appearance in a month after recovering from a blood clot, contributed to the win with seven points, two steals, and two blocks. As ESPN reported, Lillard acknowledged that he was still finding his rhythm, but was pleased to have made an impact on the defensive end.
As the Bucks look to extend the series, they will need to build on the momentum of this crucial win. With Trent’s impressive performance fresh in their minds, they will be confident of their chances of pulling off a remarkable comeback. According to ESPN, only time will tell if they can sustain this level of performance and advance to the next round of the playoffs.
