The playoffs are here, and let’s be real—nobody expected the Bucks to get smacked around like that in Game 1. The vibes were off, the offense looked panicked, and the scoreboard might’ve needed a mercy rule if it weren’t for Giannis going full Greek Freak mode. Now, all eyes are on Game 2. Is Milwaukee bouncing back? Are reinforcements coming? Or are the Pacers just that team this year?

One thing’s for sure: the Bucks cannot afford to go down 0-2, especially with how Indiana’s been cooking. And with Gainbridge Fieldhouse buzzing like it’s 2014 again, Milwaukee better figure things out—fast. But hey, everything starts with the injury report, right? So let’s dive in.

Injury Report: Will Giannis Have Help in Game 2?

Okay, breathe easy—Giannis Antetokounmpo is good to go. Not only did he play in Game 1, but he dropped a casual 36 points and 12 boards like it was nothing. The man’s playing superhero ball at this point. But here’s the problem: he’s kind of doing it alone. Damian Lillard missed Game 1 with that nagging calf issue tied to his DVT diagnosis, and as of Monday night, he’s still listed as questionable for Game 2.

Meanwhile, Tyler Smith has officially been ruled out with an ankle injury. While he’s not a major rotation piece, it’s still another body unavailable at a time when Milwaukee needs every possible spark off the bench. Let’s not sugarcoat it—Giannis needs Lillard back like yesterday.

In Game 1, the Bucks shot a painful 9-of-37 from deep, and Giannis ended up being the only real offensive threat. Sure, Bobby Portis and Brook Lopez chipped in a bit, but it wasn’t nearly enough to handle Indiana’s balanced attack. Lillard’s presence—especially from beyond the arc—wouldn’t just help the scoreboard; it would give Giannis some breathing room against those relentless double teams.

The Pacers’ Plan Is Working Too Well

Give credit where it’s due: Pascal Siakam looked smooth and unbothered with 25 points on 10-of-15 shooting, while Tyrese Haliburton quietly dropped 12 dimes and let the offense hum. The Pacers were balanced, locked in, and even brought WNBA star Caitlin Clark out for the vibes. It worked. Indiana led by 28 at one point. Game 1 was a party, and Giannis was the lone guest trying to crash it.

And here’s the thing—Indiana didn’t even fully stop Giannis. They just made everyone else irrelevant. They turned Milwaukee into a one-man show and dared the role players to beat them. Spoiler alert: they couldn’t. Not with Dame on the sideline and the bench ice cold. It’s a recipe the Pacers will 100% try again in Game 2 unless Lillard shows up and changes the math.

Look, Giannis can only do so much. He’s already playing at an MVP level—this isn’t on him. But if Milwaukee’s going to avoid the same fate as last year (you remember that first-round disaster, right?), they have to give him some support. Whether it’s Dame putting on the jersey or the bench waking up from its slumber, something has to give.

Even Giannis said it himself: “We didn’t have enough urgency.” And that’s not the kind of thing you want to hear from your leader after a playoff loss. The Bucks need to tighten up defensively, hit some threes, and find that chemistry that helped them close the regular season on an eight-game heater. Game 2 isn’t just a must-win—it’s a statement opportunity.

If Milwaukee shows up flat again, this series could spiral quickly. Giannis will do his part. That’s a given. But whether Lillard joins him on the floor could be the difference between tying it up and falling into a really ugly 0-2 hole. Let’s see if the Bucks have another gear—or if Indiana’s about to take full control.