The Milwaukee Bucks are facing elimination after a tough 129–103 loss to the Indiana Pacers in Game 4 of their first-round playoff series. Despite a heroic performance from Giannis Antetokounmpo, the Bucks now trail the series 1–3, and their playoff hopes are hanging by a thread.
Antetokounmpo gave his all on Sunday, posting a team-high 28 points on 9-of-20 shooting, alongside 15 rebounds, six assists, and a steal. He was nearly perfect from the free-throw line, hitting 10 of his 11 attempts. However, Milwaukee struggled to keep pace with Indiana, especially after Damian Lillard exited early due to a potentially serious injury.
Giannis’ Emotional Reaction to Damian Lillard’s Injury
After the game, Giannis opened up about the emotional toll of seeing his teammate go down. Speaking to reporters, he shared a raw and honest response to Lillard’s injury.
“You see your teammate being down and your first thought is, ‘Come on, get up, get up, get up,’” Antetokounmpo said via The Wichita Eagle. “The moment you see a player not getting up and he’s limping, and he cannot walk on his own, you kind of know that it’s serious.”
The latest reports indicate there is “considerable fear” that Lillard may have suffered a torn Achilles — an injury that would not only end his postseason but could also impact his 2025–26 season. Giannis, who has developed a strong bond with Lillard this season, admitted that seeing him struggle was especially tough.
“A lot of people don’t see what Dame had to deal with,” Giannis continued. “But I’ve been around him every single day and it’s hard.”
Bucks Facing Uphill Battle Without Lillard
With Lillard possibly sidelined, the Bucks are left leaning heavily on Giannis and newly acquired Kyle Kuzma, who joined Milwaukee following the trade of Khris Middleton. Despite Kuzma’s scoring ability, Milwaukee’s offensive depth will be severely tested in the coming games.
The Pacers have taken full advantage, using their depth and high-paced offense to dominate the Bucks so far. Without Lillard’s perimeter threat, the Bucks will need a nearly perfect Game 5 to keep their season alive.
Giannis’ Mindset Heading Into Game 5
Despite the adversity, Giannis remains focused on preparation rather than panic. He emphasized after Game 4 that his priority is, as always, to be in peak condition for the next battle — mentally and physically.
“There’s no emotion or extra juice,” Giannis told reporters. “The priority is always the same: be ready for the next game.”
Milwaukee fans will be hoping that their star can summon another legendary performance. But with their season on the line and Lillard possibly out, the road ahead looks steeper than ever.
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