The Pacers, who made the Eastern Conference finals a season ago, are led by Tyrese Haliburton and Pascal Siakam. Siakam (20.2 points per game) was an All-Star in 2025, while Haliburton got better as the season progressed. He averaged 20.6 points and 11 assists per game after the All-Star break.

Game 2 of Pacers-Bucks is set for Tuesday at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Game 3 and 4 will be next weekend in Milwaukee.

After a week of six play-in games, the first round of the 2025 NBA playoffs opens this weekend with four games on Saturday (April 19) and four on Sunday that could begin answering a wide range of questions: