Damian Lillard is officially back—and the timing couldn’t be more critical for the Milwaukee Bucks. After missing over a month of action, the All-Star guard returned for Game 2 of the Bucks’ first-round playoff series against the Indiana Pacers, aiming to spark a bounce-back after a rough series opener.
Lillard, who last played on March 18, averaged 24.9 points and 7.1 assists in the regular season, and Milwaukee desperately needed his scoring punch.
Game 1 wasn’t just a loss—it was a statement from the Pacers. They took command with a dominant second quarter and cruised to a 117-98 win at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, seizing a 1-0 lead in the series. Indiana’s defense tightened up, while their offense overwhelmed the Bucks. Giannis Antetokounmpo dropped 36 points, but it wasn’t nearly enough. Milwaukee’s shooting woes were glaring—they hit just 9 of 37 from deep and lacked that second offensive gear.
But, now Lillard is back and his return not only provided a boost in morale but gave the Bucks a much-needed ball handler and perimeter threat. The big question tonight is whether he could shake off the rust and deliver when it mattered most?
Let’s take a look at Lillard’s numbers and how his presence impacted Game 2.
Damian Lillard vs. Pacers: How Much Did He Score During the Game?
| Minutes | Points | Rebounds | Assists | FG% | 3P% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 36 | 14 | 3 | 7 | 30.8 | 25 |
How Did Lillard Perform During the Playoffs Game 2 Against Pacers?
Damian Lillard made his return in the Bucks’ Game 2 playoff loss to the Pacers, where Milwaukee fell 123-115. Lillard, who played 36 minutes, started off strong with six points, two rebounds, and one assist in his first 10 minutes on the court.
He finished the game with 14 points, seven assists, and two rebounds, shooting 4-of-13 from the field and 2-of-8 from three-point range. One of his key moments came in the fourth quarter, when he nailed a 34-foot three-pointer to pull the Bucks within two points at 113-115 with 2:32 left.
However, despite his efforts, the Pacers held on to win 123-115. Lillard also reached a significant career milestone, surpassing 1,700 career playoff points, making him the 95th player in NBA history to do so.
Lillard vs. Pacers: Head-to-Head Career Stats
Damian Lillard has averaged 23.3 points, 7.3 assists, and 4.4 rebounds in 28 career games against the Indiana Pacers. And if we zoom in on his most recent outings, it’s clear Dame still brings the heat when facing Indy.
Over his last 10 games vs. the Pacers—all as a Buck—Lillard has put up:
- 25 points, 10 rebounds, 8 assists (Mar 15, 2025)
- 15 points, 3 rebounds, 11 assists (Mar 11, 2025)
- 24 points, 5 rebounds, 13 assists (Nov 22, 2024)
- 28 points, 1 rebound, 8 assists (Apr 26, 2024)
- 34 points, 4 rebounds, 5 assists (Apr 23, 2024)
- 35 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists (Apr 21, 2024)
He’s had some standout performances, including a 35-point outing on April 21 and a 34-point game just two days later. Even when the shots weren’t falling—as in his 9-point game on December 31—Lillard still found ways to impact the game with his playmaking.
