INDIANAPOLIS – We knew the Indiana Pacers would tip off their first-round playoff series against the Milwaukee Bucks on Saturday.
Now we know the rest of the schedule for the postseason clash. Game 2 is set for April 22 at 7 p.m. at Gainbridge Fieldhouse before the series shifts to Milwaukee for Game 3 (April 25 at 8 p.m.) and Game 4 (April 27 at 9:30 p.m.)
Times for Game 5 (April 29), Game 6 (May 2) and Game 7 (May 4) will be announced later. The final three games of the series will only be played if necessary.
Here’s a look at the full schedule:
- Game 1: Bucks at Pacers (Sat. April 19, 1 ET, ESPN, FanDuel Sports Network)
- Game 2: Bucks at Pacers (Tue. April 22, 7 ET, NBA TV, FanDuel Sports Network)
- Game 3: Pacers at Bucks (Fri. April 25, 8 ET, ESPNU/NBA TV, FanDuel Sports Network)
- Game 4: Pacers at Bucks (Sun. April 27, 9:30 ET, TNT, FanDuel Sports Network)
- Game 5: Bucks at Pacers (Tue. April 29, TBD)/if necessary
- Game 6: Pacers at Bucks (Fri. May 2, TBD)/if necessary
- Game 7: Bucks at Pacers (Sun. May 4, TBD)/if necessary
The Pacers needed six games last year to close out their first-round series against the Bucks, who were missing All-Star Giannis Antetokounmpo because of an injury.
Antetokounmpo is healthy entering this year’s series, but he’ll be without teammate Damian Lillard, who’s expected to miss the start of the playoffs with a blood clot in his right calf. That’s according to ESPN, which reported that Lillard is progressing but hasn’t been cleared to return to full basketball activities.
In a statement, Milwaukee’s general manager said Lillard was getting better.
“Damian’s most recent weekly scan shows that his injury has significantly improved which will enable him to move ahead safely with increased basketball activity,” said Bucks General Manager Jon Horst. “Damian’s health remains our No. 1 priority. We have followed strict protocols and will continue to do so. We are pleased with the positive news about Damian’s progress.”
The fourth-seeded Pacers (50-32) lost three of their four games against the fifth-seeded Bucks (48-34) during the regular season. Antetokounmpo averaged 30 points in those games.
The Pacers will wear their City Edition uniforms during first-round home games. The team went 17-4 while sporting their City Edition unis this season.