Indiana Pacers vs Milwaukee Bucks Injury Reports for Game 1 (April 21)

The Indiana Pacers and Milwaukee Bucks' budding rivalry takes the next step as the Eastern Conference rivals tip off their 2024 NBA Playoffs first-round series on Sunday. The Pacers and the Bucks produced some of the regular season's most epic battles infused with plenty of drama and controversy, making this series the one to look forward to.

The Pacers have been the dominant team in this matchup, with a 4-1 record in the season series. The Bucks' only win on Dec. 13 needed a franchise-record 64 points from Giannis Antetokounmpo to get over the hump.

Nevertheless, the playoffs are a different beast, and the Bucks have more experience in this scenario. Except for Pascal Siakam and a few other veterans, several Pacers players, including Tyrese Haliburton, are making their playoffs debut.

Indiana Pacers vs. Milwaukee Bucks Injury Reports for Game 1

Indiana Pacers injury report

The Pacers have a healthy roster with sophomore Bennedict Mathurin, who is out for the season, the only player on the team's injury report to begin the playoffs. Mathurin is out with a right shoulder labral tear.

Player	Status	Injury
Bennedict Mathurin	Out	Right shoulder labral tear

Milwaukee Bucks injury report

The Bucks have one player on their injury report, but a key one as it's Giannis Antetokounmpo. The two-time MVP is doubtful with a left soleus strain.

Player	Status	Injury
Giannis Antetokounmpo	Doubtful	Left soleus strain

Indiana Pacers vs. Milwaukee Bucks last game

The Indiana Pacers and Milwaukee Bucks last met on Jan. 3. The Pacers won 142-130, closing the season series with a 4-1 margin. Giannis Antetokounmpo showed out with a 26-point, 11-rebound, eight assists and three steals outing on 8-of-13 shooting, while Damian Lillard had 23 points and five assists.

However, Tyrese Haliburton's 31 points and 12 assists, on top of six other Pacers players scoring 10+ points, saw the Pacers edge the Bucks in another high-scoring thriller. Indiana dropped 47 in the third quarter, swinging the close game in its favor. The Bucks dug themselves a hole too big after the opening 12 minutes of the second half to have a shot at a comeback.

The Pacers haven't had any issues breaking down the Bucks' defense in any of the five games. A shootout essentially has favored Indiana because of its superior scoring depth.

However, the Bucks have transformed since then under new coach Doc Rivers. The defense has been one of the key areas they have improved under the veteran HC, so the matchup against the Pacers may yield a different outcome in the playoffs.