Portland Trail Blazers' star Damian Lillard scores a career-high 61 points against Angelico Biologie Basket in a preseason game.
Rewritten Article:
Damian Lillard, sporting a bare lower leg due to a missing toenail, delivered an impactful performance in the first quarter against the Milwaukee Bucks during the Indiana Pacers' 103-129 win in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference 1st round playoffs series in the National Basketball Association (NBA) on Monday, April 28, 2025 (PH time).
This unexpected turn of events saw the Bucks' defense struggle to contain the Pacers, moving them closer to victory with a series score of 1-3.
Lillard made a comeback in Game 2 after his absence due to a deep vein thrombosis in his lower right leg in the final stretch of the regular season. However, his run was cut short midway through the first quarter in this game due to a non-contact lower left leg injury, casting doubts about a possible Achilles tendon injury [3][4].
With Lillard's sudden exit, the Bucks were left shorthanded, missing a crucial offensive creator. This vacancy contributed to their loss, with the Pacers boasting a scorching 60.2% shooting accuracy [1][2].
The injury leaves the Pacers on the brink of eliminating the Bucks in Game 5 on April 30, 2025. The Bucks have lost eight consecutive road playoff games, with five of those defeats occurring at Indiana [2][3]. The injury adds to the Bucks' playoff struggles, reminiscent of their 2024 first-round elimination at the hands of the same opponent [2].
In the absence of Lillard, Giannis Antetokounmpo managed 15 first-half points, while Myles Turner scored 23 points and Tyrese Haliburton nearly achieved a triple-double for the Pacers [3].
[1] Source: ESPN[2] Source: NBA.com[3] Source: Associated Press[4] Source: CBS Sports
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- The Indiana Pacers' impressive 60.2% shooting accuracy in Game 4, showcased during their 103-129 win against the Milwaukee Bucks, was a testament to their prowess in basketball, especially in the NBA.
- With Damian Lillard suffering a sudden non-contact lower left leg injury during the game, the Pacers' basketball team was left to rely on Tyrese Haliburton's near triple-double performance, Myles Turner's 23 points, and a resilient team effort, rather than relying on Lillard's usual contributions.
- The absence of Damian Lillard due to his lower left leg injury in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference 1st round playoffs series has put the Milwaukee Bucks at a significant disadvantage, with their defense struggling to contain the Pacers, as the series score stands at 1-3.
- The Pacers, with their sights set on the 2025 NBA playoffs, find themselves tantalizingly close to eliminating the Bucks in Game 5, a rematch of their 2024 first-round elimination, amidst the controversial in-game injury to Damian Lillard.
