A terrible way to end the season
The Bucks lost game five in embarrassing fashion, and their season is over. Read our full summary of the game here and catch a six-minute audio recap on the Bucks+ podcast Bucks In Six Minutes below.
What Did We Learn?
The Bucks’ season ending the way it did felt fitting. Unable to play well for four quarters, stagnant offense, exploited defense, and faltering under pressure. We saw numerous themes from this team throughout the series and the overall season. It was a top-to-bottom failure by the front office, the coaching staff, and the players. It’s unlikely the Bucks would have won this series, but like the 2023 first round matchup against the Miami Heat, how the Bucks collapsed will leave a bitter taste in everybody’s mouth. The Bucks truly snatched defeat from the jaws of victory, thanks to issues that have plagued this team consistently throughout the season.
Three Observations
Doc Rivers made the necessary adjustment.
I was worried when I saw this post from Jim Owczarski shortly before the starting lineup was announced:
Doc Rivers was asked about being more willing to change matchup/change lineups in a win or go home scenario. Paraphrasing, he effectively said it’s about winning the game – change for the sake of change / quick hooks can lead to losses.
— Jim Owczarski (@jimowczarski.bsky.social) 2025-04-29T21:18:13.840Z
To his credit, Doc Rivers did make big changes, starting AJ Green and Bobby Portis in place of Kyle Kuzma and Brook Lopez. Doc went with the players that were the best performers this postseason and rode with the starters the majority of the game. Kuzma only played 13 minutes, Brook Lopez played eight, Taurean Prince played four, and Jericho Sims played 11. This was the change Bucks fans have begged since Game 1, and it’s fair to wonder if Doc had made these decisions sooner, would the series have gone differently?
Gary Trent Jr. and AJ Green’s peaks and valleys.
With Dame out, Milwaukee would need someone to step up. For 99% of that game, it was Gary Trent Jr. and AJ Green who answered the call. The two combined to shoot 14/27 from three with a total of 52 points scored. AJ Green started hot, and when the Bucks thought they were going to leave Indiana with a win, it was because of GTJ’s 12 points in overtime.
However, things went awry for both Green and Trent Jr. with 40 seconds left in the game, as Green missed his second free throw. After an Andrew Nembhard three, Gary Trent Jr. turned the ball over, which led to Tyrese Haliburton getting an and-one after Green fouled him. The Bucks had a chance to inbound and try to make free throws to ice the game, but another turnover from GTJ eventually led to Haliburton’s game-winner. You feel awful for those two, and GTJ in particular, because those two were the most significant reason the Bucks had a chance. But in the playoffs, the margins are thin, and mistakes have terrible consequences.
The end of an era.
With the season over, decisions will be made regarding a core of players who have been a part of this Bucks’ success. Khris Middleton has already been traded, and Pat Connaughton and Bobby Portis have player options that they will need to decide on in the next few months. Even if both were to opt in, you would have to feel as though Jon Horst will be making an effort to trade both of them in a roster revamp. Brook Lopez will be a free agent this offseason; with his influence waning in the playoffs, along with his age, it may be time for the Bucks and Lopez to part ways. Each of them will be fondly remembered for their contributions, but it seems that this would be the best time to usher in a new core of players to try to give Giannis some hope of a revival.
Final Bonus Bucks Bits
- The Bucks were up 118-111 with 40 seconds left; they lost the game.
- Giannis had a triple-double tonight, but more impressively, he picked up his fifth foul with 39 seconds left in the fourth and managed to not pick up a sixth.
- The Bucks were up 118-111 with 40 seconds left; they lost the game.
- After the game, Tyrese Haliburton’s father went onto the court and approached Giannis. Words were said, and Giannis had to be held back by players and coaches. Giannis is a better person than I cause I probably would have thrown a punch if I were in Giannis’ shoes.
The initial exchange between Giannis Antetokounmpo and John Haliburton from the Bucks postgame broadcast:
- The Bucks were up 118-111 with 40 seconds left; they lost the game.
- After the Haliburton situation, Giannis was shaking hands with Pacers players but had another heated situation, this time with Bennedict Mathurin, and had to be separated.
Giannis dapped up the Pacers after the game, but then it got heated between him and Bennedict Mathurin
- The Bucks were up 118-111 with 40 seconds left; they lost the game.
Up Next
An entire offseason to answer some burning questions. How often will Giannis will leave articles be posted? How do you reconstruct the roster? How soon will Doc Rivers be fired? Who is the best head coach option moving forward? Sadly, we will have to remain in a bitter and frustrated state between now and next fall.