Pacers’ Homecoming Showdown Against Depleted Bucks
The Indiana Pacers are still in search of head coach Rick Carlisle’s elusive 1,000th regular-season victory. As they return home, they do so with a disheartening 0-5 record in this pursuit, coming off a disappointing loss where they squandered a 20-point second-half lead against the Boston Celtics. This matchup against the Milwaukee Bucks marks the fifth back-to-back series for the Pacers this season. Indiana has had a mixed bag of results with two losses, one sweep, and one split in their previous back-to-back games.
After taking a couple of days off, the Pacers will have another shot at the Celtics soon. However, they will need to navigate yet another injury-related absence. Backup center Isaiah Jackson left Monday’s game after sustaining an elbow to the head from Neemias Queta, forcing him to exit shortly after tip-off.
Bucks Grapple with Injuries
The Milwaukee Bucks are also dealing with their fair share of challenges. They will be without former MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo, who has been sidelined with a calf injury since December 3. His absence has been a significant blow for the team, which is trying to avoid falling deeper into the standings.
On a brighter note, Kyle Kuzma has returned from an illness that kept him out of action last week and took to the court in Sunday’s loss against the Minnesota Timberwolves. Alongside him were longtime Pacers center Myles Turner and sixth man Bobby Portis. AJ Green also made his return after a three-game absence due to a shoulder sprain, but he struggled, shooting just 1-for-8 against Minnesota.
The Bucks currently sit at 3-13 over their last 16 games, while the Pacers have managed to win only four of their last 14 outings.
Game Details and Venue
The Pacers (6-23) will host the Bucks (11-18) at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis on Tuesday, December 23, at 7:40 p.m. EST. Fans can catch the game on FanDuel Sports Network Indiana or Gulf Coast Sports & Entertainment Network. For those tuning in on the radio, the Pacers can be found on 1070 The Fan and the Pelicans on WWL-AM/FM.
Rematch with Myles Turner
This matchup offers Pacers fans a chance to see Myles Turner again, who left Indiana for Milwaukee in the offseason. During his first visit back on November 3, he was met with an avalanche of boos from the home crowd, a sentiment that could resurface in this rematch.
In that previous encounter, the Bucks narrowly edged the Pacers 117-115, thanks to a buzzer-beater from Antetokounmpo, who finished the game with a commanding 33 points and 13 rebounds. Turner recorded five blocks but only managed nine points and seven rebounds, raising questions about his role in the Bucks’ offense moving forward. Despite a lackluster start to his season, Turner has shown signs of improvement, averaging 17 points over the last two games.
Historical Context and Series Overview
The Pacers have historically struggled against the Bucks, losing four of their last five encounters. While Indiana did find success in four of five games during the 2023-24 season, they have an overall record of just 8-21 against Milwaukee since the start of the 2018-19 campaign. The Bucks hold a commanding lead in the all-time series as well, with a record of 119-97 dating back to their first matchup after Indiana joined the league from the ABA in 1976.
Injury Report
The injury report for both teams reveals significant absences. For the Bucks, Giannis Antetokounmpo is out due to a right calf strain, along with Taurean Prince (neck surgery recovery) and Alex Antetokounmpo (G League).
The Pacers have a lengthy list of questionable players, including T.J. McConnell (sore left knee), Tony Bradley (right thumb fracture), Isaiah Jackson (head), Johnny Furphy (left ankle sprain), and Tyrese Haliburton (right Achilles tendon tear). Aaron Nesmith (left knee MCL sprain) and Obi Toppin (right foot stress fracture) are also out, alongside Ben Sheppard (left calf strain).
Bucks’ Strategy Moving Forward
Bucks head coach Doc Rivers provided a straightforward assessment of what his struggling team needs to do to secure their first road win since November 10. “Score more points than the other team. There’s no secret. I’m being smart,” he quipped, emphasizing the team’s need for focus and execution in the upcoming game.
As the Pacers gear up for this critical home matchup, all eyes will be on whether they can finally deliver a milestone victory for Carlisle while overcoming the challenges posed by a resilient but depleted Bucks squad.
