Damian Lillard's Return Falls Short as Bucks Drop Game 2 to the Pacers

Damian Lillard's anticipated return to the court wasn't enough to lift the Milwaukee Bucks over the Indiana Pacers, as they succumbed 123-115 on Tuesday night. Lillard, appearing in his first game since March 18 due to deep vein thrombosis in his right calf, contributed 14 points on 4-for-13 shooting. Despite the efforts, the Bucks find themselves in a 2-0 hole in the first-round playoff series.

Indiana's Pascal Siakam led the way with a stellar performance, scoring 24 points and grabbing 11 rebounds. Tyrese Haliburton effectively orchestrated the offense, adding 21 points and 12 assists, further cementing the Pacers' dominance.

Giannis Antetokounmpo, the Bucks' two-time league MVP, poured in a formidable 34 points, hauled in 18 rebounds, and dished out seven assists. Yet even with Lillard making his playoff debut alongside Antetokounmpo, the Bucks couldn't overcome Indiana's early 31-16 blitz within the first seven and a half minutes.

Bobby Portis Jr. shone as well, posting 28 points, including draining six 3-pointers, and grabbing 12 rebounds. However, these efforts were overshadowed by Indiana's relentless control of the game.

The match saw its fair share of drama: a tangle near the Pacers' bench resulted in double technical fouls, and verbal exchanges flared in the game's waning minutes. Milwaukee did muster a late rally, a 13-0 run that cut Indiana's lead to 115-113 with just over two minutes remaining, but the Pacers responded with an 8-2 surge to seal their victory.

As the series shifts to Milwaukee for Game 3 on Friday, the Bucks are looking to reverse their fortunes. They'll need to dig deep to combat an Indiana team that has now won five of their last six playoff encounters.