Tyrese Haliburton's Triple-Double Leads Pacers to Overtime Win Over Bucks

Tyrese Haliburton recorded a triple-double with 18 points, 16 assists, and 10 rebounds to lead the Indiana Pacers to a thrilling 121-118 overtime victory over the Milwaukee Bucks in Game 3 of their Eastern Conference first-round playoff series on Friday night. Haliburton hit the game-winning three-point play with 1.6 seconds left in overtime to give the Pacers a 2-1 series lead.

Despite struggling with his shooting, going 8-of-22 from the field and 1-of-12 on 3-pointers, Haliburton stayed aggressive and made key plays down the stretch. His hustle and rebounding efforts inspired the Pacers, who blew a 19-point first-half lead but held on for the win. "Tyrese is a special player," Pacers coach Rick Carlisle said. "He just finds a way to impact the game in so many different ways."

Myles Turner added a playoff career-high 29 points and 9 rebounds for the Pacers, who secured their first back-to-back postseason wins since 2014. The Pacers now have their first lead in a playoff series since 2018 and are looking to win a series for the first time since reaching the 2014 Eastern Conference finals.

Khris Middleton had a playoff career-high 42 points for the Bucks, who were without two-time league MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo due to a strained left calf. Middleton hit two buzzer-beaters, one in regulation and one in overtime, to tie the game, but it wasn't enough to overcome Haliburton's heroics.

Why this matters: The Pacers' upset victory over the heavily favored Bucks has made this series one of the most compelling matchups of the first round. Haliburton's emergence as a triple-double threat and clutch performer has elevated the Pacers' chances of pulling off a stunning upset against the defending champions.

Game 4 is scheduled for Sunday in Indianapolis, with the Bucks hoping to have Antetokounmpo back in the lineup. "We'll see how he feels tomorrow," Bucks coach Mike Budenholzer said. "We're not going to put him out there unless he's ready to go." The Pacers, meanwhile, will look to take a commanding 3-1 series lead behind Haliburton's leadership and the team's resilient play.

Key Takeaways

• Tyrese Haliburton records a triple-double to lead Pacers to 121-118 OT win over Bucks.
• Haliburton hits game-winning 3-point play with 1.6 seconds left in OT, giving Pacers 2-1 series lead.
• Myles Turner scores playoff career-high 29 points as Pacers secure first back-to-back postseason wins since 2014.
• Khris Middleton scores playoff career-high 42 points for Bucks, who were without Giannis Antetokounmpo.
• Pacers look to take 3-1 series lead in Game 4, while Bucks hope to have Giannis back in the lineup.