In one of the most shocking and thrilling upsets of the 2025 NBA Playoffs, the Indiana Pacers have eliminated the Milwaukee Bucks — and they did it with style, swagger, and a whole lot of heart. Behind the rising star power of Tyrese Haliburton and a fearless, well-balanced roster, the Pacers knocked out a title contender and punched their ticket to the Eastern Conference Semifinals.
Final score of Game 6: Pacers 118, Bucks 111.
From the opening tip, it was clear that Indiana wasn’t going to wait around for a Game 7. They were locked in, confident, and aggressive. Despite facing a Bucks team loaded with playoff experience and superstar talent in Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard, the Pacers stuck to their identity — fast-paced offense, unselfish ball movement, and gritty defense.
Tyrese Haliburton, who had been under the microscope all series — especially after being voted the “most overrated player” in a recent player poll — delivered his loudest performance yet. He finished with 28 points, 13 assists, and 4 steals, leading his squad with calm poise and timely buckets. The All-Star point guard hit a crucial step-back three late in the fourth quarter that ignited the crowd and put the Pacers firmly in control.
But it wasn’t just Haliburton. This was a full-team effort. Myles Turner was dominant in the paint, swatting shots and knocking down timely threes. Bennedict Mathurin added 22 off the bench, playing fearlessly against Milwaukee’s vaunted perimeter defenders. And Pascal Siakam, the midseason acquisition, was the steadying veteran presence Indiana needed in the clutch. His two-way presence kept the Bucks from ever gaining full momentum.
On the flip side, Milwaukee looked stunned. Giannis, who had returned from injury in Game 5, gave everything he had, finishing with 33 points and 11 rebounds. But the chemistry looked off. Lillard struggled to find his rhythm late in the game, and the Bucks’ role players couldn’t hit enough open shots to keep pace with Indiana’s offensive attack.
For Milwaukee, this early playoff exit is a disaster. They entered the postseason with championship expectations, and anything less than a deep run was going to raise serious questions. And now? Those questions will come loud and fast — about coaching, roster construction, and whether the Giannis-Dame pairing is built to win in the playoffs.
But tonight wasn’t about the Bucks’ failures. It was about the Pacers’ arrival.
After years of rebuilding and near-misses, Indiana has finally put the league on notice. They’re young, fast, fearless — and ahead of schedule. This team believes in itself, and now, so does everyone else.
When the final buzzer sounded and the fans at Gainbridge Fieldhouse erupted, you could feel it — something special is happening in Indy. They didn’t just win a series. They took down a giant.
PACERS ELIMINATE THE BUCKS‼️
And they’re not done yet.
