The Milwaukee Bucks couldn’t hang with the Indiana Pacers in Game 1 of their Eastern Conference first-round series, trailing by as many as 28 points in a 117-98 loss.
As dire as things got, point guard Damian Lillard can’t return soon enough.
Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo was a one-man show, leading all scorers with 36 points on 14-of-23 shooting. The nine other Bucks who logged meaningful minutes in the blowout combined to shoot 21-of-61 (34.4 percent) and scored 62 points.
“If I’m in that locker room and I’m … Giannis, I’m looking for help,” said ESPN NBA analyst Udonis Haslem at halftime.
Antetokounmpo didn’t find any on Saturday, but relief could be coming in Game 2 or 3.
On Friday, ESPN’s Shams Charania reported that Lillard, who has been out since March 25 due to a blood clot, is expected to return on Tuesday or Friday.