It looked like the Milwaukee Bucks would be taking home a win versus the Pacers, up 114-111 with seconds on the clock.
That was before Tyrese Haliburton’s heroics took place, draining a fall away three in the corner off the inbounds pass–and getting fouled by Giannis Antetokounmpo in the process.
Officials reviewed the play to make sure Haliburton stayed in bounds and to confirm the foul and the four-point-play chance stood. Haliburton sunk the free throw, leaving the Bucks to run the length of the floor in 3.4 seconds.
Giannis made it to the three-point line but his heave at the buzzer fell compact of the rim and Haliburton’s teammates descended on him for the mob party.
On social media after the game, Pacers fans reveled in the miraculous win over a hated rival.
Bad Blood Grows Between Indiana Pacers and Milwaukee Bucks Fanbases
The teams’ feud has developed over a number of incidents in the past few years. Most recently, Indiana defeated a Giannis-less Bucks team in the first round of the 2024 playoffs. Ex-Buck Pat Beverly is being sued for rifling the ball into the stands after a Pacers fan famously yelled, “1-2-3 Cancun!” at the end of a Milwaukee timeout in the decisive Game 6.
This season, they sit neck and neck in the Eastern Conference standings, the Bucks in 4th with Indiana right behind them. With the win, the Pacers draw even at 36-28, Milwaukee holding on to the 4-seed, for the moment, by virtue of tiebreaker rules.
After Damian Lillard hit a pair of free throws to give the visitors a 114-111 lead in Gainbridge Fieldhouse arena, the worst Bucks fans could reasonably expect was overtime. But Giannis found himself in an awkward position on Haliburton, crowding his space on the contest to draw the whistle.
In such a tight space, with Haliburton streaking open, it would have been challenging to defend the shot without risking contact. The foul, while unfortunate, is not the dagger. It’s the fact Haliburton made the shot.
That Said, Milwaukee Earned This L
Relishing the improbable outcome, Pacers fans were quick to troll their victims, not without a touch of vulgarity:
dont forget who owns ur franchise pic.twitter.com/qmlB7yMRTB
— Jeffery Perkins (@JefferyxBball) March 12, 2025
— Pacers Playoffs📊 (@PlayoffsPacers) March 12, 2025
Hahaha suck it Bucks! Hali is your Daddy!!! Hit the road with that L. GTFO pic.twitter.com/sJ0FffJTRp
— Kaien Dono (@ClownCrown14th) March 12, 2025
Bucks fans themselves were steaming at Giannis’ apply in the fourth quarter. He attempted only one shot in the period and was held scoreless.
For the final play, many fans would have preferred the ball in Lillard’s hands, knowing that a long-range attempt was likely going to be the only shot possible with so little time left and an entire court to traverse.
Someone tell giannis that 1 shot attempt in the 4th is criminal
We will not win games that way
— Will (@willibetit) March 12, 2025
Why was Gianis taking the last shot?
What happened to dame time?— wagmi11 💎 (@wagmi_11) March 12, 2025
When your best player doesn’t score one point in the 4th quarter, you deserve to lose
— Pam (@lilkasperss) March 12, 2025
Giannis finished with 19 points on 9-14 from the floor, along with 17 rebounds and 7 assists. Lillard scored 15 shooting 4-14 and had 11 assists. Brook Lopez led the Bucks with 23 points.
It was an imbalanced performance from the team’s two best players as Giannis disappeared in the 4th quarter and Lillard managed only 2 first half points. The 115-114 heartbreaker is Milwaukee’s third straight loss. The way they have been playing lately, losing is not a familiar feeling. The Bucks had won 8 of 9 before their recent skid.
They will have a chance to get back on track Thursday against the LeBron James-less Lakers.
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