Milwaukee Bucks Shock NBA Fans with Blockbuster Trade for Superstar Guard – What It Means for the 2025 Title Hunt

MILWAUKEE — The Milwaukee Bucks kept their early-season momentum alive Monday night, edging the Indiana Pacers 117-115 in a nail-biter at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, their third straight victory and perhaps their most dramatic yet. Star forward Giannis Antetokounmpo, cleared pre-game after landing on the injury report with left calf tightness, powered Milwaukee with 34 points, nine rebounds and six assists, including the go-ahead bucket with 18.6 seconds left. Damian Lillard added 26, drilling five threes that silenced a raucous Indiana crowd each time the Pacers threatened. TURNER’S HOMECOMING All eyes were on center Myles Turner, who faced Indiana for the first time since an offseason sign-and-trade sent him to Milwaukee. The 29-year-old posted a 15-point, 12-rebound double-double but heard steady boos every time he touched the ball. Turner downplayed the reception afterward, saying “I gave this city nine years; tonight was just about competing for my new team.” PACERS PUSH BACK Tyrese Haliburton nearly forced overtime, finishing with 31 points and 11 assists for Indiana. His step-back three rimmed out at the buzzer, preserving Milwaukee’s win and dropping the Pacers to 2-4. KEY INJURY UPDATE The Bucks were without newly acquired guard Kevin Porter Jr., who is expected to miss four to six weeks after a right-meniscus sprain suffered Friday in Chicago. Rookie Andre Jackson Jr. absorbed Porter’s minutes and impressed defensively, finishing +8 in 18 high-energy minutes. WHAT IT MEANS • Milwaukee improves to 5-1, tied with Boston atop the Eastern Conference. • The Bucks have now won seven of their last eight meetings with Indiana. • Antetokounmpo’s 30-plus outing was his fourth of the young season, quelling early concerns about last week’s calf tightness. LOOKING AHEAD The Bucks return home Wednesday to host the surging Sacramento Kings before embarking on a three-game Western swing (at Suns, Lakers, Warriors). With Porter sidelined and Khris Middleton still on a strict minutes cap, head coach Adrian Griffin hinted at possible call-ups from the Wisconsin Herd to shore up depth. SEO TAKEAWAYS Milwaukee Bucks, Giannis Antetokounmpo clutch basket, Myles Turner booed return, tight win over Indiana Pacers, NBA thriller at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, Kevin Porter Jr. knee injury timeline, Bucks vs Kings preview.