Late-Game Heroics: Giannis Squeaks Bucks Past Pacers in a Thriller
4 November 2025
Giannis Antetokounmpo delivers late fadeaway to lift Bucks past Pacers
Greek star Giannis Antetokounmpo buried a difficult fadeaway with 10 seconds remaining, guiding the Milwaukee Bucks to a 117-115 road victory over the Indiana Pacers in a tense NBA showdown.
With the play breaking down late, Giannis cut inside the arc, faced defender Aaron Nesmith, then spun and stepped back to fire a fading jumper under pressure as the clock dwindled. The shot found nothing but net, and Milwaukee escaped with the win.
Giannis finished with 33 points, 13 rebounds, and 5 assists, a line that underscored his dominance when the game mattered most. It was a signature moment for a two-time MVP who has become the Bucks’ unquestioned late-game catalyst.
The Pacers, stung by the late collapse, were paced by Miles Turner (9 points, 7 rebounds) and heard boos when Tyrese Haliburton’s recent public statements were revisited by the Indiana crowd. The atmosphere reflected a night of contrasts between a Bucks squad aiming to prove its title pedigree and a Pacers team still finding its footing this season.
Milwaukee improved to a strong early clip (5-2) while Indiana slipped to a rough 1-6 start after a season marked by high expectations in the fanbase. In a surprising note for the losing side, Cameroonian forward Pascal Siakam poured in 32 points with 8 assists—an excellent individual effort that nonetheless wasn’t enough to secure victory.
Morant’s Return and Western Conference Notes
Meanwhile, the night carried a storyline beyond Indiana: Ja Morant returned to the floor for Memphis after a one-game suspension and contributed 18 points and 10 rebounds in a 114-106 defeat at Detroit, as Cade Cunningham erupted for 33 points, including 19 in the fourth quarter.
Morant’s postgame demeanor was quiet, offering only a brief “No” when asked if he felt the usual joy on the floor, a reminder that the league’s storylines rarely pause for a moment of reflection.
Lakers, Celtics, and the Night’s Other Echoes
In Boston, the Celtics, the 2024 champions, faced a stinging 103-105 home loss to Utah, with Yusuf Nurkić delivering a late bucket that sealed the result. Boston also played without star Jayson Tatum, sidelined by an Achilles injury, while Jalen Brown stepped up for 36 points in the loss.
On the West Coast, the Lakers earned a 123-115 win on a night when LeBron James, Luka Dončić, and Austin Reaves rested. Rui Hachimura paced Los Angeles with 28 points, and Bronny James contributed 5 points and 6 assists in 19 minutes, with De’Andre Ayton adding 29 points and 10 rebounds for Portland in a separate showcase of the night’s mixed-up rosters.
Across town, the Clippers fell 119-120 to the Miami Heat, despite James Harden’s 29 and Kawhi Leonard’s 27, a reminder that the NBA’s margins are razor-thin and every possession counts.
As the season unfolds, the league’s balance of power continues to shift with each late shot and every breakout performance, keeping fans on edge and social media buzzing well into the post-game snacks.
