By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
The Indiana Pacers outlasted the Milwaukee Bucks in overtime and won a best-of-seven series, 4-1.
Picking up a win, 119-118, in Gainbridge Fieldhouse, the Pacers advanced to the second round of the 2025 NBA Playoffs presented by Google.
“A lot of things happened down the stretch,” confessed Giannis Antetokounmpo in a postgame press conference following Tuesday’s contest, “You can break it down possession by possession, but it doesn’t matter. We lost the game. We’re sitting right here, and the season is over.”
Wrapping up his 2024-25 journey in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals, he posted a triple-double with 30 points, 20 rebounds, and 13 assists. His efforts over 44 minutes expanded to two blocks and two steals.
“It doesn’t feel good. Gotta look at myself in the mirror, and I just have to be better. I have to better,” he added, “I try every single year, work in the offseason, come back. It definitely doesn’t feel good. I think as a team we work hard, we do the right things, we play the right way. Not being able to win games definitely hurts. But you gotta keep doing what you’re doing, keep looking at yourself in the mirror and see what you can improve and how we can better, and come right back and compete. That’s what competitors do.”
The Bucks were eliminated in the opening round of the postseason for a third year in a row.
“It can’t always go your way,” explained Giannis, “Growing up, I was never like spoiled. I was never like a brat, thinking that everything would go my way in life. Like it’s supposed to go this way, and I’m supposed to win every single year. Or I put the work and it’s supposed to translate on the court. Sometimes it doesn’t, and you have to understand that. I keep on believing in myself, keep on believing in God, and knowing that he puts me in a position that I’m supposed to be, and that he never makes mistakes, and I just keep on coming, keep on coming every single year. One day, it’s going to be my turn.”
Following the conclusion of his 2024-25 journey, the Greek international superstar is expected to be linked to rumors about moving on from Milwaukee. The Freak has been with the Bucks since being selected with the 15th overall pick of the 2013 NBA draft and won an NBA championship in 2021.
“I’m not going to do this,” he replied to a question about being able to win a second NBA championship with the franchise, “Whatever I say, I know how it’s going to translate. I wish I was still playing. I wish I was still like competing and going back to Milwaukee.”