Gary Trent’s Shooting Masterclass Rescues Bucks Against Pacers
MILWAUKEE — Every playoff series has a moment where everything changes. For the Milwaukee Bucks, that moment came Friday night — and it had Gary Trent Jr.’s fingerprints all over it.
Facing a tough Indiana Pacers team and trailing 2-0 in the series, the Bucks needed a spark. Head coach Doc Rivers made a gutsy call, swapping Trent Jr. into the starting lineup. The move wasn’t just about defense — Rivers wanted someone who could shake things up on both ends of the floor. What he got was a full-blown breakout.
Trent put on a show, torching the Pacers for 37 points and hitting nine 3-pointers, tying the legendary Ray Allen for the most threes in a Bucks playoff game. His shooting barrage helped Milwaukee secure a massive 117-101 victory and breathe life back into their playoff run.
“It’s a blessing, honestly,” Trent said, grinning wide after the game. “Growing up watching Ray Allen and trying to learn from the way he shot the ball — to now be mentioned next to him, it means everything. It shows that all the hours in the gym weren’t for nothing.”
Setting the Tone, Changing the Game
The Bucks didn’t come out swinging — at least not at first. They were sluggish in the first half, falling behind by double digits. But everything flipped in the third quarter, and Trent was the reason why.
Milwaukee outscored Indiana by 21 points in the third, the biggest playoff quarter margin for the Bucks since their 2021 Finals run. Trent caught fire, drilling five triples in the period alone and pouring in 18 points, swinging the game in Milwaukee’s favor.
“Gary got us rolling,” Rivers said. “His energy, his confidence — it was contagious. You could see the whole team lift.”
Giannis and Trent: A Historic Duo
Of course, it wasn’t a one-man show. Giannis Antetokounmpo delivered one of his trademark playoff performances, racking up 37 points on a hyper-efficient 14-of-19 shooting, along with 12 rebounds and six assists. According to ESPN Research, it marked the first time in Bucks playoff history that two teammates each scored at least 35 points in the same game.
“Gary was huge for us,” Giannis said. “We trust each other. When one guy steps up, it lifts everybody. And tonight, Gary gave us that extra boost we needed.”
Rivers’ Risk Pays Off
Starting Trent over Taurean Prince — who had started most of the season — wasn’t an easy call. But it was the right one. Rivers also shortened the rotation, cutting minutes for Brook Lopez and Kyle Kuzma while leaning more heavily on Bobby Portis and AJ Green.
Green delivered too, knocking down four threes off the bench to keep the Pacers from fully collapsing onto Giannis inside.
Meanwhile, Damian Lillard, still shaking off the rust after returning from a blood clot, struggled to find his shot, going just 2-of-12 from the field. But Lillard stayed locked in on defense, notching two steals and two blocks — and his hustle didn’t go unnoticed.
“It’s not always about scoring,” Lillard said. “Especially in the playoffs. Sometimes you just have to find a way to help your team. Tonight, it was defense.”
Indiana Stumbles After Strong Start
For the Pacers, the third quarter was a nightmare. Tyrese Haliburton, who had been rolling through the first two games, was kept in check by Trent’s physical defense. Haliburton finished with 14 points and 10 assists but looked frustrated and out of rhythm all night.
“That third quarter killed us,” Haliburton admitted. “We let them get too comfortable, and against a team like Milwaukee, you can’t afford that.”
The Pacers still lead the series 2-1, but after Friday’s loss, the pressure is squarely on them to respond in Game 4.
Source: Gary Trent Jr. ties franchise mark with 9 3s to lift Bucks
Gary Trent Jr.: Ready for the Moment
Friday night wasn’t just a random hot streak for Trent. It was the payoff for years of grinding in the shadows, waiting for his chance.
“You put in all those early mornings, late nights, and you just hope for a moment like this,” Trent said. “When it comes, you have to be ready.”
The Bucks have seen flashes of Trent’s potential throughout the season, but his Game 3 explosion was on another level. It wasn’t just the scoring — it was the swagger, the toughness, the willingness to take and make big shots.
“He’s built for this,” Rivers said. “Tonight was just a glimpse.”
Looking Ahead: Game 4
As much as Milwaukee enjoyed Friday’s win, they know it was just one step. The job isn’t done yet.
Giannis was quick to preach caution.
“We have to stay humble,” he said. “We haven’t done anything yet. Indiana’s going to come back stronger. We have to be ready to match it.”
Expect Trent to stay in the starting lineup for Game 4, with the Bucks sticking to the same formula that worked so well in Game 3 — spacing the floor, defending aggressively, and letting Giannis dominate the paint.
If Lillard can find his shooting touch, and if Trent can keep bringing the heat, Milwaukee could very well tie the series before it shifts back to Indiana.
Final Word
Friday night belonged to Gary Trent Jr. It was one of those performances fans will remember for years — not just because of the points or the records, but because of the heart he showed when his team needed him most.
Game 4 tips off Sunday night at Fiserv Forum. If Trent stays hot, this series could be headed for a dramatic finish.
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