History Repeats as Pacers Humble Bucks Again – Giannis Clashes with Doc Rivers Over Costly Game 1 Blunder
Last season, the Milwaukee Bucks stormed into the playoffs, taking a 1-0 lead in their first-round series against the Indiana Pacers. However, their momentum quickly faded as Indiana bounced back in Game 2 and went on to eliminate the Bucks in six games. Fast forward to the 2025 postseason, and history seemed to echo louder than ever.
This past Saturday, the Bucks returned to Gainbridge Fieldhouse with a mission: revenge. Riding high on an eight-game win streak and entering the playoffs as the East’s 5th seed, Milwaukee was confident—even without their starting point guard, Damian Lillard. Fans believed that Giannis Antetokounmpo, backed by a more experienced roster, would ensure a different outcome this time. Instead, they were met with a brutal reality.
The Bucks were overwhelmed by the Pacers, who cruised to a dominant 117-98 victory in Game 1. What made the loss more painful was how thoroughly the Bucks’ starting five struggled. Giannis, who gave his all, finished with a -18 plus-minus, matching Brook Lopez, while Kyle Kuzma had a staggering -24, highlighting a rough outing. Milwaukee’s starters (excluding Giannis) managed just 14 points combined, with Kuzma and Taurean Prince going scoreless. Offensively, the Bucks shot a disappointing 41.7% from the field and a dismal 24.3% from three. Defensively, they allowed Indiana to shoot over 51% from the floor.
Giannis voiced his frustration after the game, particularly with Doc Rivers’ unwillingness to adapt during the contest. He praised the second unit—Bobby Portis, Gary Trent Jr., Kevin Porter Jr., and AJ Green—who brought energy, spacing, and defensive effort that helped Milwaukee briefly cut the deficit. Giannis emphasized the importance of making real-time decisions based on performance, rather than sticking to rigid rotations.
As Game 2 looms, it’s clear the Bucks need to shift gears. If Doc Rivers wants to avoid a repeat of last year’s heartbreak, he’ll have to listen to his star player and let the game dictate the lineup.
