“Carried Us”: Doc Rivers Bows Down To Damian Lillard’s ‘Unbelievable’ 35pt Performance vs Pacers

Published 04/21/2024, 10:15 PM EDT

Milwaukee Bucks coach Doc Rivers showered praises on Damian Lillard after his masterful game. In the absence of Giannis Antetokounmpo, the team’s responsibility fell on Lillard and he took it up with pride. The 33-year-old led from the front with a 35-point outing, taking the game completely away from the Indiana Pacers to register a 109-94 win. Following the game, Doc Rivers credited the star for carrying the team.

Speaking at the post-game press conference, Rivers said, “He carried us. He was unbelievable. I thought he just played it under control. Very aggressive… The way we wanted him.” Notably, Lillard didn’t just showcase his aggressive game, but also produced a historic night for the Bucks family.

Damian Lillard set the record for the most points scored in any half for the Bucks in playoffs with his 35 points. The star’s insane flare-up in the first half included 6 three-pointers which facilitated a 30-point lead. This left the Pacers scratching their head, and they literally didn’t have an answer for the Wisconsin offense.

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On the other hand, Lillard received what he wished for, a championship-winning team. After spending 11 long seasons with the Portland Trail Blazers, the star forcefully exited the team after continuous failure and inability to qualify for the playoffs. Ahead of this season, the Bucks front office paired him up with Giannis Antetokounmpo, an NBA Champion. The collaboration immediately worked, and the team stayed afloat in the top deck of the Eastern Conference table for the majority of the season.

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Nevertheless, he entered the postseason without his new superstar team as he suffered a strained calf ahead of the playoffs. Lillard might have to carry the team for a few more games before Greek Freak returns to the court. Speaking of Giannis’ recovery, Doc Rivers said, “Giannis has done a lot of work. He’s shooting, he’s running again, he looks good, but he hasn’t been able to participate.” However, the timeline of the superstar’s return is yet to be cleared.

Where did the Pacers go wrong against Damian Lillard & Co?

Looking at Pascal Siakam’s 36 points, 13 rebounds, and 2 assists stat line, it may seem like the Pacers have had an incredible outing. But, in reality, the new big man of the Pacers didn’t have enough support from the rest of the roster. If he was contributing 36 points alone, his entire starting line-up together contributed 39 points, of which 9 came from Tyrese Haliburton alone. It was a rather underwhelming night for him. Being the Pacers’ rising superstar and the leader of the young Pacers pack, he refused to turn on his aggressive mindset. It wasn’t about missing the buckets, but the 24-year-old took only 7 shots in the entire game. The Indiana side can most definitely use a rather aggressive Haliburton in Game 2.

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Next up, the Bucks defense strangled the Pacers’ pace. Haliburton & Co. hold the fourth place in the league in fast-break points with 17 points per game. However, the Bucks’ defense fed off the offensive success and restricted them offensively with only 4 fast break points in the first half.

Even though they showed some resistance in the second half, it was too little too late for a comeback. They need to cash in on the absence of Giannis Antetokounmpo and get back in the series with a win. Who do you think will win the series? Let us know in the comments.

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Written by:

Shahul Hameed is a Senior NBA Writer at EssentiallySports. Armed with a Master's Degree in journalism from a distinguished institute, his journey into sports writing began during his college days, and since then, Shahul has been captivated not only by the remarkable consistency of Stephen Curry but also by the enduring legacy of LeBron James. He specializes in covering the live basketball action.

Edited by:

Saumya Khanduja

“Carried Us”: Doc Rivers Bows Down To Damian Lillard’s ‘Unbelievable’ 35pt Performance vs Pacers

Where did the Pacers go wrong against Damian Lillard & Co?

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