INDIANAPOLIS — In a thrilling showdown between the Milwaukee Bucks and the Indiana Pacers, the game reached a nail-biting climax with the score tied at 115 and just 14.5 seconds remaining on the clock. The Bucks devised a straightforward yet effective strategy: place the ball in the hands of their star player, Giannis Antetokounmpo, and ensure that he would take the final shot. Following the game, Bucks coach Doc Rivers acknowledged that the team did not execute their play flawlessly, but it ultimately did not matter as Antetokounmpo delivered when it counted the most.
With a critical screen set by AJ Green, Antetokounmpo was able to maneuver past Pascal Siakam, who was forced to switch defenders. This allowed the two-time NBA MVP to exploit a mismatch against the smaller Aaron Nesmith. Taking advantage of this opportunity, Antetokounmpo advanced to the left elbow, got both feet inside the paint, and expertly faded away over his right shoulder for a jumper that swished through the net just as the final buzzer sounded, sealing a 117-115 victory for the Bucks over their rivals.
“I just wanted to make sure I take the last shot,” Antetokounmpo reflected after the game. “A possession or two before, I shot a shot and I was short, so I just focused on starting my dribble around six seconds and shooting it at like two or one second. I made sure to shoot it long, and it went in.” This dramatic buzzer-beater marked the second of Antetokounmpo's 13-year NBA career and his fifth game-winning shot in the final five seconds of a game. He finished the night with an impressive 33 points, marking his fifth 30-point performance in just six games this season, along with 13 rebounds, five assists, and two steals.
After the game-winning shot, Antetokounmpo made a triumphant backpedal towards midcourt, signaling to the crowd to quiet down with a finger to his lips while being swarmed by his jubilant teammates. He then playfully booed the Indiana crowd, a gesture of solidarity towards his teammate Myles Turner, who was making his first appearance back at Gainbridge Fieldhouse after spending ten seasons with the Pacers. “I think it was important for the whole team to win this game,” Antetokounmpo said. “We understand the circumstances we’re in. It’s a team we faced in the playoffs, and any playoff rivalry brings a hostile environment.”
Turner, who had been the all-time block leader for the Pacers, was met with a chorus of boos from the crowd during a tribute video played before the game. Antetokounmpo emphasized how vital it was for the Bucks to secure a win for Turner, stating, “Before the game, we stressed how important it was to win this for Myles. The average NBA player has a lifespan of about 4.5 years, and he dedicated ten years to one franchise. To come back here and be booed, it might hurt, but we are here to support him.”
As the Bucks celebrated their victory, the locker room echoed with sentiments about the importance of the win against their biggest rival, along with admiration for Antetokounmpo’s incredible shot. Bucks guard Gary Trent Jr. described the shot as “surreal” and reminiscent of a video game moment. “He’s already a monster around the rim, and to fade away on a double team like that was just beautiful,” he said. Fellow teammate Cole Anthony shared his astonishment, calling the shot “mad disrespectful” yet incredible, praising Antetokounmpo for bailing out the team with his clutch performance.
AJ Green reflected on the work that Antetokounmpo puts in daily, which prepares him for high-pressure situations. “That’s what he practices,” Green noted. “It’s about preparation meeting the moment, and this time, we came out on the winning side.” Antetokounmpo’s heroics not only capped off Turner’s emotional return to Indiana but also added another chapter to the ongoing rivalry between these two Central Division teams. “You can live with a miss, but you cannot live with yourself if you don’t take the shot,” Antetokounmpo explained. “People remember the makes, and I’m just glad it went in.”
