The Milwaukee Bucks are on fire! After a thrilling 105-99 victory over the Indiana Pacers on Friday night, they’ve secured their first three-game winning streak of the season—a milestone that’s been a long time coming. But here’s where it gets controversial: Can the Bucks sustain this momentum without their superstar, Giannis Antetokounmpo, who’s been sidelined with a calf strain since January 23? Let’s dive into the details.
Kevin Porter Jr. stole the spotlight with a stellar performance, racking up 23 points, eight assists, and seven rebounds. His driving layup late in the fourth quarter ignited a crucial 7-0 run, giving the Bucks the breathing room they desperately needed. Ryan Rollins chipped in 22 points, and Bobby Portis added 21, marking his return after missing two games due to a bruised hip. For the Pacers, Andrew Nembhard led the charge with 22 points, while Pascal Siakam contributed 19.
The game wasn’t without its nail-biting moments. Indiana staged a 15-0 run in the fourth quarter, narrowing the gap to 91-87 with just over four minutes left. Ben Sheppard’s missed 3-pointer could have shifted the game’s momentum, but the Bucks held firm. Jericho Sims also made his presence felt, grabbing a career-high 15 rebounds to go with his four points. Meanwhile, Myles Turner delivered a solid performance against his former team, tallying nine points and 10 rebounds.
And this is the part most people miss: The Bucks dominated the boards, outrebounding the Pacers 48-37 and outscoring them 17-8 in second-chance points. This physical edge proved decisive, especially with key players like Antetokounmpo and Kyle Kuzma (calf soreness) absent. Speaking of absences, the Pacers were without their newly acquired players, Ivica Zubac and Kobe Brown, who were traded from the Los Angeles Clippers just a day earlier. Pacers coach Rick Carlisle hinted they might debut on Tuesday against the Knicks, though Zubac’s lingering ankle issue could delay his return.
The Bucks’ victory improves their season record to 3-0 against the Pacers, a team that’s knocked them out of the playoffs in the past two seasons. Without Antetokounmpo, the Bucks are 6-14 this season, compared to 15-15 with him in the lineup. That raises a thought-provoking question: How far can this team go without their MVP? And is this winning streak a sign of resilience or just a temporary spark?
Looking ahead, the Pacers head to Toronto on Sunday, while the Bucks travel to Orlando on Monday night. Will the Bucks keep the momentum going, or will reality catch up? Let us know your thoughts in the comments—do you think the Bucks can thrive without Giannis, or is their success unsustainable? The debate is open!
