Man, playoff basketball just hits different when the shots start defying physics. If you watched bucks vs pacers game 3 back in April 2024, you know exactly what I’m talking about. It wasn't just a game. It was a chaotic, beautiful mess that basically rewrote the script for the entire first round.
Honestly, the Pacers shouldn't have been in that position. They were up by 19 points in the first half. 19! Usually, that’s when you start thinking about post-game snacks and resting your starters. But Milwaukee—even without Giannis Antetokounmpo—decided they weren't going out like that.
What Really Happened with bucks vs pacers game 3
The atmosphere inside Gainbridge Fieldhouse was electric. It was Indiana’s first home playoff game in years, and the fans were losing their minds. But the real story was the sheer insanity of the final few minutes of regulation and overtime.
Khris Middleton.
Just say the name to a Pacers fan and watch them flinch. The guy was possessed. He finished with 42 points, which is a playoff career-high for him. But it wasn’t just the volume; it was the timing.
1.4 seconds left in regulation. Bucks down by three. Middleton catches the ball, fading away, and just... banks it in. Pure luck? Maybe. Pure guts? Absolutely. That shot sent the game into overtime and sucked the air right out of the building.
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The Tyrese Haliburton Response
While Middleton was playing the villain role perfectly, Tyrese Haliburton was busy putting together a masterpiece. People were questioning if he could lead a team in the postseason. He answered that with his first-ever playoff triple-double: 18 points, 16 assists, and 10 rebounds.
And yet, he couldn't buy a bucket for most of the night. He was 1-for-12 from the three-point line. Think about that. Most stars would've checked out mentally. Instead, he stayed aggressive.
When it mattered most, with the game tied at 118 in overtime, Haliburton drove, hit a runner, got the foul, and finished the three-point play. That was the dagger. It gave the Pacers a 121-118 win and a 2-1 lead in the series.
Why the Injury Report Defined This Matchup
You can't talk about bucks vs pacers game 3 without mentioning the guys who weren't 100%. Giannis was out with that calf strain, which changed everything for Milwaukee’s defense. Without the Greek Freak roaming the paint, Myles Turner went off for 29 points.
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Then you had Damian Lillard. Dame was gutting it out, but he clearly wasn't himself after tweaking his Achilles late in the first quarter. He still ended up with 28 points, but you could see the explosiveness wasn't there in the fourth quarter.
It’s one of those "what if" games. If Giannis is healthy, does Indiana even win that? Probably not. But that's the playoffs. Availability is a skill.
Tactical Mistakes That Cost Milwaukee
Doc Rivers had some tough calls to make. The Bucks actually clawed back with an 18-4 run in the fourth quarter, which was incredible. But down the stretch in overtime, the defensive rotations got sloppy.
- Switching on the Perimeter: The Bucks started switching everything, which allowed Haliburton to hunt for the matchups he wanted.
- The Transition Game: Indiana is fast. Like, track team fast. Milwaukee tried to slow them down, but in OT, the fatigue of playing without their MVP started to show.
- Offensive Rebounds: The Pacers grabbed 19 offensive rebounds. You simply cannot win a playoff game on the road when you give up that many second-chance opportunities.
The Legacy of Game 3
This game was the turning point. It proved the Pacers weren't just happy to be there. They were deeper, younger, and—honestly—more energetic than a banged-up Bucks squad.
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Middleton’s heroics were legendary, but they were also a sign of desperation. When one guy has to carry that much of the load, it’s hard to sustain for four quarters plus overtime. Indiana’s balanced scoring, with six players in double figures, was just too much to overcome.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Analysts
If you're looking back at this game to understand how the modern NBA is shifting, look at the pace. Indiana didn't care if they missed shots; they cared about the number of shots they took.
- Watch the Assist-to-Turnover Ratio: Haliburton's 16 assists were the engine. If you're coaching, that's the tape you show your point guards.
- Valuing the Bank Shot: Middleton’s regulation tie-breaker reminds us that sometimes, you just have to put the ball on the glass.
- Depth Over Stars: In the playoffs, a "Big Three" is great, but a "Solid Eight" is often what wins a grueling seven-game series when injuries strike.
The 121-118 final score doesn't even begin to describe the tension in that room. It was the first overtime game of the 2024 playoffs, and it set the tone for everything that followed.
Key Performance Reminders:
- Khris Middleton: 42 points, 10 rebounds, 5 assists.
- Tyrese Haliburton: 18 points, 16 assists, 10 rebounds.
- Myles Turner: 29 points (Playoff Career High).
- Final Result: Pacers win 121-118 (OT).
The series eventually went to the Pacers in six games, but the soul of that matchup was forged in the closing seconds of Game 3.
To dive deeper into the stats, you can check the official NBA box score for a full breakdown of the shooting splits.