The Bucks live to see another day.
Despite being without Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard, Milwaukee cruised to a 115-92 victory over Indiana in Game 5 to keep the Bucks’ season alive. Khris Middleton and Bobby Portis led the Bucks with 29 points each while Patrick Beverley recorded a 13-point, 12-assist double-double.
The Bucks made some history in the process, becoming the first team to ever win a playoff game without their top-two scorers from the regular season, per ESPN’s Matt Williams.
The series returns to Indiana for Game 6. If the Pacers win, they’ll advance to the second round. If the Bucks win, they’ll force a Game 7 on their home court.
Will Antetokounmpo be available to play? The Sporting News has you covered with the latest updates below.
MORE: Complete list of winners for NBA’s end-of-season awards
Is Giannis Antetokounmpo playing tonight?
Antetokounmpo has been ruled out for Game 6, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, who reported earlier in the day that the two-time MVP was “working to try and make a return.”
Antetokounmpo has been sidelined since April 9 with a left soleus strain. The Bucks were preparing to be without Antetokounmpo for the start of their first-round series with the Pacers but were “hopeful treatment … will allow him to return sometime later in the series,” Wojnarowski reported before the start of the playoffs.
After Tuesday’s Game 5, Bucks head coach Doc Rivers said he thought both Antetokounmpo and Lillard, who missed Games 4 and 5 with right Achilles tendinitis, are “very, very, very close” to returning.
Antetokounmpo had an outstanding 2023-24 season, averaging 30.4 points, 11.5 rebounds, 6.5 assists, 1.2 steals and 1.1 blocks on 61.1 percent shooting from the field over 73 games. Portis has started in his place in the 2024 NBA Playoffs
What time is Bucks vs. Pacers tonight?
- Date: Thursday, May 2
- Time: 6:30 p.m. ET | 3:30 p.m. PT
The Bucks and Pacers will face off in Game 6 on Thursday, May 2. The game is scheduled to tip off around 6:30 p.m. ET from Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, IN.
What channel is Bucks vs. Pacers?
- Date: Thursday, May 2
- TV channel: TNT
- Live streaming: Sling TV
Game 6 will air on TNT. Viewers can also stream the game on Sling TV.
Fans in the U.S. can watch the NBA Playoffs on Sling TV. Sling is the home for avid sports fans offering a range of sports channels so you can always cheer for your favorite teams with channels like ESPN, TBS, TNT, NFL Network, FS1 and more.
Bucks vs. Pacers schedule, TV channels
| Date | Game | Time (ET) | TV/Live stream |
| Sunday, April 21 | Bucks 109, Pacers 94 | 7 p.m. | TNT, Sling |
| Tuesday, April 23 | Pacers 125, Bucks 108 | 8:30 p.m. | NBA TV, Sling |
| Friday, April 26 | Pacers 121, Bucks 118 (OT) | 5:30 p.m. | ESPN, Sling |
| Sunday, April 28 | Pacers 126, Bucks 113 | 7 p.m. | TNT, Sling |
| Tuesday, April 30 | Bucks 115, Pacers 92 | 9:30 p.m. | TNT, Sling |
| Thursday, May 2 | Game 6 at Pacers | 6:30 p.m. | TNT, Sling |
| Saturday, May 4 | Game 7 at Bucks* | TBD | TNT, Sling |
*If necessary
