MILWAUKEE—On April 28, the Indiana Pacers stormed into Fiserv Forum and left the Milwaukee Bucks reeling, leading 63-52 at halftime in Game 4 of their first-round NBA playoff clash. The Pacers, hungry and relentless, turned the court into their playground, carving out a double-digit lead that had the Bucks’ faithful muttering in their seats.
Indiana’s attack was a masterclass in precision. They sank 12 three-pointers in the first half alone, a franchise playoff record for a single half, with Tyrese Haliburton and Myles Turner raining shots like they were tossing pebbles into a pond. Haliburton, all poise and swagger, dished out assists and drained long-range buckets, while Turner bullied his way through the paint, his dunks rattling the rim and the Bucks’ confidence. The Pacers’ offense hummed, their ball movement crisp, leaving Milwaukee’s defense scrambling like they were chasing shadows.
The Bucks, meanwhile, leaned hard on Giannis Antetokounmpo, who battled through contact to pile up points and rebounds. But without Damian Lillard, sidelined by a nagging injury, Milwaukee’s backcourt looked thin. Their offense sputtered, shots clanging off the iron, and their defense couldn’t plug the holes as Indiana’s shooters found daylight again and again. By the time the halftime buzzer sounded, the Pacers had seized control, their lead a stark warning to a Bucks team teetering on the brink.
Indiana’s dominance wasn’t just about buckets. They outhustled Milwaukee on the boards, snagged loose balls, and turned turnovers into fast-break points. The crowd, usually a roaring force, grew quiet, sensing the game slipping away. For the Pacers, this was a statement: they weren’t just here to compete—they were here to bury the Bucks.
At halftime, the score stood at Pacers 63, Bucks 52. Indiana had 12 three-pointers, led by Haliburton and Turner. Antetokounmpo led Milwaukee with points and rebounds. Lillard remained out with an injury. Game 5 was set for April 29 in Indiana.