MILWAUKEE — Gary Trent Jr. didn’t just step into the spotlight last night; he torched it. On April 25, 2025, the Milwaukee Bucks’ surprise starter erupted for a playoff career-high 37 points, drilling nine 3-pointers to match a franchise record and propel the Bucks to a 117-101 thrashing of the Indiana Pacers in Game 3 of their first-round playoff series. This wasn’t just a win—it was a lifeline for a team staring down an 0-2 deficit.
Trent, who started only nine of 74 games this season, wasn’t supposed to be the story. But with the Bucks’ backs against the wall, he laced up and delivered a performance that echoed the sharpshooting legend of Ray Allen, whose single-game playoff record for 3-pointers Trent now shares. His nine triples came on 12 attempts, a scorching 75% from deep, and he added four steals for good measure, harassing Pacers guards all night.
The Fiserv Forum crowd roared as Trent’s shots kept falling, each one a dagger to Indiana’s hopes. By the third quarter, the Bucks had flipped a double-digit halftime deficit into a commanding lead, outscoring the Pacers by 21 points in the period—their biggest playoff quarter margin since the 2021 Eastern Conference finals. Trent’s barrage set the tone, his quick-release jumpers sparking a rally that never let up.
Giannis Antetokounmpo matched Trent’s 37 points, bullying his way to 14-of-19 shooting, 12 rebounds, and six assists. Together, they became the first Bucks duo to each drop 35 points in a playoff game, a stat line that underscores the sheer firepower Milwaukee unleashed. The Bucks’ defense clamped down too, holding Indiana to 101 points after the Pacers had feasted in Games 1 and 2.
Trent’s night wasn’t just about numbers. His poise under pressure—stepping into a starting role after Taurean Prince’s quiet showings in the first two games—shifted the series’ momentum. Prince played just three minutes off the bench, a stark contrast to Trent’s 37-minute masterclass. The move by coach Doc Rivers to shake up the lineup paid off in spades.
The Bucks now trail 2-1 in the series, with Game 4 set for April 28 in Milwaukee. Trent’s explosion ensured they avoided an 0-3 hole, a deficit no NBA team has ever overcome. The Pacers, meanwhile, head back to the drawing board, tasked with slowing a Bucks offense that finally found its rhythm.
Milwaukee’s 117 points marked their highest total of the series. Trent’s 11-of-16 field goals included 9-of-12 from 3-point range. Antetokounmpo’s 37 points came with 12 rebounds and six assists. The Bucks’ 21-point third-quarter edge was their largest in a playoff quarter since June 2021.