After sitting out Game 1 of the playoff series due to health concerns, Damian Lillard made his much-anticipated return in Game 2 against the Indiana Pacers on Tuesday. Unfortunately for the Milwaukee Bucks, his presence wasn’t enough to change the tide, as they fell 123-115 to the Pacers in front of their home crowd.
During the series opener, Lillard had to watch from the sidelines, where he was visibly animated and engaged in heated verbal exchanges with Indiana’s Tyrese Haliburton and Pascal Siakam. Despite not being in uniform for Game 1, Lillard’s competitive energy was impossible to ignore.
Many anticipated a fiery matchup once he was back on the court. That intensity carried over into Game 2. Lillard and Haliburton were again seen exchanging words during the late moments of the game.
Tyrese Haliburton and Damian Lillard chirping late in Pacers-Bucks Game 2 🗣️
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) April 23, 2025
PLAYOFF BASKETBALL!pic.twitter.com/z1C4ZBG2Id
Microphones didn’t pick up their conversation. But the tension in their facial expressions and body language revealed just how emotionally charged the playoff clash had become. Lillard has returned to action more than one month after being diagnosed with deep vein thrombosis.
Damian Lillard’s Game 2 Performance And Personal Milestones
Game 2 of the playoff was the first time Damian Lillard and Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo shared the playoff floor together. Lillard and Antetokounmpo had formed one of the most prolific scoring duos in the NBA during the regular season.
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However, Game 2 did not reflect their usual dominance. Statistically, Lillard had a subdued outing by his standards, finishing with 14 points on 4-of-13 shooting, including 2-of-8 from beyond the arc, along with 3 rebounds and 7 assists over 37 minutes of play.
Despite the loss, he reached a significant milestone by becoming just the 95th player in NBA history to record at least 1,700 playoff points. With the loss, Milwaukee now trails 0-2 in the best-of-seven series.
