Damian Lillard Scores 35, Wows NBA Fans; Bucks Top Haliburton, Pacers Without Giannis Many wondered how the Milwaukee Bucks would fare in their first-round matchup against the Indiana Pacers without Giannis Antetokounmpo. Damian Lillard made sure they fared well. The star point guard led the Bucks to a 109-94 win over the Pacers behind a 35-point outburst, handling business with Antetokounmpo sidelined with a strained calf. Lillard got off to a blazing start with 19 points in the first quarter alone. He finished the first half with 35 points, giving Milwaukee a comfortable 69-42 lead. Lillard's scoring stalled in the second half with the Pacers bringing double teams, but with a sizeable lead, the Bucks didn't need much from him to pick up the win.
Lillard's big scoring night drew plenty of praise from NBA fans in awe of his performance.