The Milwaukee Bucks and Indiana Pacers formed a new rivalry last season throughout several intense matchups, six of which took place in the NBA Playoffs.
Between the game-ball fiasco with Giannis Antetokounmpo, Tyrese Haliburton mocking the famed 'Dame Time' celebration of Damian Lillard and simply the overall chippy play every time these teams played each other in 2024-25, it's clear that they are not the fondest of one another.
While he wasn't there for any of those games last season, Gary Trent Jr. came out in Friday's matchup like he was the one trying to get revenge.
Gary Trent Jr. logs his best game with the Milwaukee Bucks yet
In 29 minutes, Trent gave the Milwaukee Bucks a significant offensive jolt, knocking down six of his 10 outside looks en route to an 18-point night. Both the point and 3-point totals were new season-highs for the guard, who also finished with two rebounds, an assist and a steal while playing some incredibly active defense.
This was undoubtedly Trent's best game of the season. Comparing this version of Trent to the player he was to start the season is night and day. Since taking on a bench role as opposed to a starter, the newcomer has been incredible, shooting the lights out from three while also playing stout defense. His performance against the pesky Pacers only solidifies that.
Trent hit a particularly clutch bucket in the final quarter. With the Pacers on a run, cutting their deficit to six points with just over five and a half minutes to go, Trent received a pass from Giannis at the top of the key. With little space, Trent pulled up with confidence and buried the shot, putting the Bucks up by nine points and helping them close this one out as intended.
Between Trent's 18 points, Giannis Antetokounmpo's 37-point triples-double, Damian Lillard tallying 24 points and 13 assists and the rest of the Bucks stepping up, Milwaukee was able to get a 129-117 victory on their home floor, moving to 7-9 on the season. The Bucks, like Trent, are starting to find their footing lately, piecing together a 5-1 record in their last six games.
This was the first of possibly many meetings between the Milwaukee Bucks and Indiana Pacers this NBA season; let's hope Gary Trent Jr. and the rest of the team can replicate these results again.
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