Lillard’s record half lifts Bucks to Game 1 win
Damian Lillard’s sensational start ensured the Milwaukee Bucks would fare just fine without Giannis Antetokounmpo in their playoff opener.
Lillard scored all 35 of his points before halftime and the Bucks defeated the visiting Indiana Pacers 109-94 on Sunday while Antetokounmpo watched from the bench in Game 1 of their Eastern Conference series.
“I don’t think that it’s all on me, but I know that I’ve got to be a little bit more aggressive and I’ve got to step forward a little bit more assertively,” Lillard said. “In the playoffs ... it’s about setting a tone. We’re going to see this team a lot of times, and you want to establish yourself, especially on your home floor.”
The Bucks needed Lillard to step up without Antetokounmpo, whose return date is uncertain as he deals with a strained left calf that also caused him to sit out Milwaukee’s last three regular-season games.
Lillard came through by setting a Bucks record for points in either half of a playoff game. He didn’t score and attempted only five shots in the second half as the Pacers focused on slowing him, but the damage was done.
“He’s got that prizefighter-like mentality,” Bucks coach Doc Rivers said. “It’s almost like he’s training for the fight. When the bell rings, he seems to be ready.”
This was Lillard’s first postseason game since 2021. He spent his first 11 seasons with the Portland Trail Blazers before the Bucks acquired him in a trade.
“The last two years, not being in the playoffs, it sucked,” Lillard said. “Early vacations. Last year, I went to Coachella. I ain’t never been able to go to Coachella. It’s playing in the playoffs every year. Just having that long summer, it was like, man, I was over that.”
Pascal Siakam had 36 points and 13 rebounds for the Pacers, who hadn’t scored fewer than 99 points in the regular season while averaging a league-high 123.3 points. The Pacers shot eight for 39 from three-point range.
Indiana, which had won four of its five regular-season meetings with the Bucks, is making its first playoff appearance since 2020. The Pacers haven’t advanced beyond the opening round since 2014.
Khris Middleton had 23 points and 10 rebounds for the Bucks, and Bobby Portis had 15 points and 11 rebounds.
at Oklahoma City 94, New Orleans 92: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 28 points, including the goahead basket in the final minute, and the top-seeded Thunder edged the Pelicans Sunday in Game 1 of their first-round Western Conference playoff series.
New Orleans’ CJ McCollum missed an off-balance three-pointer in the closing seconds and the Thunder held on to win their first home playoff game since 2019.
Jalen Williams scored 19 points and Chet Holmgren added 15 points, 11 rebounds and five assists for the Thunder.
Around the league
Jordi Fernandez was hired as coach of the Brooklyn Nets, who are looking to bounce back after missing the playoffs for the first time in six years. The Nets finished 32-50 and fired Jacque Vaughn at the All-Star break. Fernandez spent the last two seasons as associate head coach of the Sacramento Kings . ... The NBA revealed the finalists for most of the league’s postseason awards and Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic was one of the three top vote-getters for the MVP award. The other finalists are Dallas’ Luka Doncic and Oklahoma City’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. Jokic is seeking his third in MVP in four years. Overall No. 1 draft pick Victor Wembanyama of the San Antonio Spurs is the favorite to win rookie of the year. The other finalists are Chet Holmgren of Oklahoma City and Brandon Miller of Charlotte. Wembanyama is also a finalist for defensive player of the year with Miami’s Bam Adebayo and Minnesota’s Rudy Gobert.