NBA playoffs scores, takeaways: Pacers rout Bucks in Game 6 to advance to Eastern Conference semifinals

It is a second straight first-round exit for Milwaukee

The 2024 NBA playoffs continued Thursday night, as the Indiana Pacers routed the Milwaukee Bucks 120-98 in Game 6 to advance to the Eastern Conference semifinals.  The Bucks welcomed back Damian Lillard, who missed the past two games with an Achilles injury, while Giannis Antetokounmpo (calf) was ruled out. Even with the late addition of Lillard, Milwaukee was unable to top the Pacers. 

With the loss, the Bucks repeated last year's playoff run when they exited the first round after a standout regular season. 

For the Pacers, they were boosted by an electric T.J. McConnell, who dropped 20 points off the bench on 7-of-9 shooting. Tyrese Haliburton added 17 points, 6 rebounds and 10 assists. Pascal Siakam contributed 19 points to go along with his stellar defense.

Here are some key takeaways from Game 6:

McConnell steals the show

McConnell was one of the best backup point guards all season long, but he hadn't been super effective over the first five games of the series. That changed in a major way on Thursday night, as McConnell played not only his best game of the matchup, but of his entire playoff career. 

He was a major part of the Pacers' defensive game plan to pressure the ball all 94 feet and speed up the game. The Bucks jumped out to an early lead, but once McConnell checked in, he changed the game. Late in the first quarter, he picked up steals on back-to-back possessions to create easy baskets for the Pacers, including one on an inbounds pass. 

Offensively, McConnell was doing his usual playmaking by getting into the lane at will and collapsing the defense, but he also gave the Pacers a huge boost in the scoring department. His 20 points were a playoff career-high and tied for his third-most in a game this season. His whirling layup over Damian Lillard and 3-pointer to end the third quarter stand out as particularly meaningful. 

Thanks to McConnell's leading effort, the Pacers' bench outscored the Bucks' reserves 50-10. 

Indiana's third quarter ending sequence swings the game

Late in the third quarter, the Bucks finally started to get some contributions from their bench and strung a number of baskets together. After a driving and-one by Brook Lopez, they had the deficit down to seven, and it looked like they were going to take all the momentum into the fourth quarter. 

Instead, Lopez failed to complete the three-point play, and the Pacers closed the frame on a furious run. McConnell started it with a layup, then Andrew Nembhard picked off a pass from Lopez that led to an and-one by Aaron Nesmith and finally McConnell buried a triple that sent the crowd into hysterics. 

In the span of 45 seconds, the Pacers pushed the lead back to 15 points and effectively ended the game. The Bucks never even got it to single digits again, which allowed for a comfortable end to the night for everyone inside Gainsbridge Fieldhouse. Coaches always talk about finishing quarters strong, and the Pacers' effort in the third was a perfect example of why it's so important to do so. 

Another first-round exit for the Bucks

The Bucks crashed out of the playoffs in embarrassing fashion last season with a five-game loss to the No. 8 seed Miami Heat. That early exit prompted serious changes, as they fired Mike Budenholzer and made a blockbuster trade to swap Jrue Holiday for Damian Lillard. 

A year later, they find themselves in the exact same spot. Of course, there were major extenuating circumstances this time around. Giannis Antetokounmpo didn't play in the entire series due to a calf strain that occurred on April 9, while Damian Lillard missed Games 4 and 5 due to an Achilles injury, and was limited upon his return in Game 6. 

The question now is how do the Bucks move forward? Will they just make some moves on the margins, run it back and hope for better injury luck? Every key contributor from this season save for Malik Beasley is under contract for next season, so that would be the easiest path forward. But did they see enough before the injuries to believe they have a championship team? If not, they could look to shake things up with a trade or two, with Bobby Portis, Pat Connaughton and Marjon Beauchamp being the most obvious candidates to be moved. 

[May 2, 2024 at 9:06 pm ET · Jack Maloney]

FINAL: Pacers 120 -- Bucks 98

The Pacers were never in trouble in the fourth quarter, and pulled away for a xxxx-point win to take the series, 4-2. This is their first playoff series win since 2014, when they went to the Eastern Conference finals. 

Really smart game plan from Rick Carlisle and the Pacers, who picked up full court all night long, which really sped up the game and got them in their comfort zone. Once they were able to get out and run, they created much easier offense and got the crowd involved. 

TJ McConnell and Obi Toppin played a massive part in that approach with their relentlessness off the bench. The duo combined for 41 points, 10 rebounds, 11 assists, four steals and a block on 15-of-24 from the field. With those two leading the way, the Pacers' bench demolished the Bucks' reserves, 50-10. 

The Pacers will now advance to face the winner of the New York Knicks and Philadelphia 76ers. 

[May 2, 2024 at 8:30 pm ET · Jack Maloney]

Third quarter: Pacers 93 -- Bucks 78

If the Pacers hang on to win this game, we'll look back on the last minute or so of the third quarter as a major reason why. The Bucks had gotten the deficit down to seven and it looked like they were going to take all sorts of momentum into the fourth. Instead, the Pacers ripped off an 8-0 run to close the frame and push the lead back up to 15. It's going to take a massive effort now from the Bucks to keep their season alive. 

[May 2, 2024 at 8:09 pm ET · Jack Maloney]

Portis and Johnson receive technicals

Bobby Portis has been a central figure in this series, for better and worse, and just got involved in another mini dust-up. As the two teams were walking to their benches at the timeout, Damian Lillard tried to swipe the ball away from Tyrese Haliburton, who didn't appreciate that. The two teams started chirping, and James Johnson got involved off the bench. The referees gave both Portis and Johnson technical fouls. Portis will have to be careful now as he's one technical away from another ejection.

[May 2, 2024 at 7:43 pm ET · Jack Maloney]

Halftime: Pacers 59 -- Bucks 47

The two teams largely traded serve in the second quarter, and the Pacers go into the break with a 12-point lead. Tyrese Haliburton has really stepped up and is putting together one of his best games of the series with 15 points, five rebounds and four assists on 6-of-12 from the field so far. Pacers' bench has also been a difference maker with 19 points compared to one for the Bucks' reserves. 

[May 2, 2024 at 7:23 pm ET · Jack Maloney]

Bucks need more from Middleton

Khris Middleton has carried the Bucks at times during this series, but is off to a rough start tonight with just five points on 2-of-7 shooting as we head toward the end of the first half. The Bucks simply need more from him if they want to win this game and keep their season alive. Even with Damian Lillard back, they don't have enough scoring to keep up with the Pacers if Middleton isn't hitting shots

[May 2, 2024 at 7:03 pm ET · Jack Maloney]

First quarter: Pacers 33 -- Bucks 24

The Bucks picked up where they left off in Game 5 in the first few minutes of this one, but the Pacers responded and used their pace to take control of the opening frame. They briefly opened up a double-digit lead and go into the second quarter up by nine. TJ McConnell and Obi Toppin have made a huge impact off the bench with their energy and relentless pressure. They've combined for 15 points, four rebounds and five assists already. 

[May 2, 2024 at 6:43 pm ET · Jack Maloney]

Lillard already making an impact

Damian Lillard is back on the floor after missing Games 4 and 5 with an Achilles injury, and has already made an impact for the Bucks by knocking down a couple of shots, including a 3-pointer. Encouraging start for the Bucks. 

[May 2, 2024 at 6:05 pm ET · Aaron Gray]

Haliburton in the house

All-Star Tyrese Haliburton (back) was listed as questionable ahead of Thursday but it looks like he will play Game 6 as the Pacers look to close out the series against the Bucks.

[May 2, 2024 at 5:58 pm ET · Aaron Gray]

It's Dame Time, baby

The Bucks will get a huge boost with the return of Damian Lillard for Game 6 at Indiana. The 8-time All-Star had missed the previous two games with an Achilles injury but looks ready to go.