When you think about the Bucks in the postseason, the first name that comes to mind is Damian Lillard. The expectations were sky high, with Lillard expected to be the game-changing force alongside Giannis. But in Game 3 of their playoff series against the Pacers, things didn’t quite go as planned for Lillard. Despite the Bucks’ 117-101 victory, the star guard had a night to forget. His shooting was abysmal—just seven points on 2-of-12 shooting and a miserable 1-of-8 from beyond the arc. It was clear something needed to change if the Bucks were going to make a serious playoff run.
It wasn’t just the poor shooting performance that was concerning—it was the overall lack of rhythm. The Lillard we’ve come to know as a deadly scorer was nowhere to be found. So, what did the Bucks do? They pivoted. Coach Doc Rivers, recognizing the severity of Lillard’s struggles, made a bold decision to shake up the game plan. Rivers didn’t allow Lillard’s performance to sink the team’s chances. Instead, the Bucks quickly shifted their focus toward a new strategy—one that would rely less on Lillard and more on their other weapons, particularly Giannis and an unexpected hero.
With Lillard not firing on all cylinders, the Bucks needed someone else to step up and take the pressure off Giannis. Enter Gary Trent Jr. Starting for the first time in the series, Trent completely took over. He dropped 37 points on 11-of-16 shooting, including an incredible nine threes, tying a franchise playoff record, notably with Ray Allen.
His explosive performance was a game-changer. Rivers praised Trent for his aggressive defense against Tyrese Haliburton, noting, “We wanted somebody aggressive to attack Haliburton. I thought he did that.” Trent not only scored efficiently but was also a pest on defense, taking Haliburton out of his rhythm and helping shift the game in the Bucks’ favor. That 18-point third quarter explosion? Pure fire.
Mar 18, 2025; San Francisco, California, USA; Milwaukee Bucks guard Damian Lillard (0) walks back up court during the fourth quarter against the Golden State Warriors at Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: D. Ross Cameron-Imagn Images
While Trent was catching fire, Giannis was doing what Giannis does best—putting up numbers and being a force on both ends of the floor. But what stood out in this game was how Giannis evolved his game to match the new strategy. Rather than just looking for his own shot, Giannis became a playmaker.
He tallied 37 points, 12 rebounds, and 6 assists, but his ability to facilitate in the second half was key. As Rivers noted, “Giannis came out in the second half, he still scored but he play-made.” This wasn’t just a scoring showcase from Giannis; it was a full-on display of leadership and adaptability. The shift in focus from Lillard’s shooting to a more team-oriented approach gave the Bucks the balance they needed to surge back into the game.
Doc opens up after win against Pacers
Now, here’s the kicker. After the game, Rivers made a huge admission that sheds light on the Bucks’ strategy shift. He acknowledged that Lillard wasn’t playing up to his usual standards and that the Bucks had to change their approach in real time. Rivers said, “I was so proud of him. He is running on fumes, and you could tell he just doesn’t have any rhythm.” That’s an honest reflection of the reality Lillard was facing—but instead of letting it derail their game plan, Rivers made the smart move of emphasizing Giannis’ versatility and Trent’s red-hot shooting.
The Bucks had always leaned on Lillard to be their offensive spark, but with his struggles, Rivers had no choice but to look to other areas of their game to fill the void. And what a difference it made. The offense suddenly clicked once the ball movement improved, and the Bucks found their rhythm. They finished the game with 11-of-18 shooting from three in the second half, a massive improvement from their dreadful 4-for-23 in the first half.
Mar 13, 2025; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Bucks guard Damian Lillard (0) dribbles the ball against the Los Angeles Lakers in the first quarter at Fiserv Forum. The Bucks wore a small patch to honor former player Junior Bridgeman who passed away this week. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-Imagn Images
So, where does this leave the Bucks moving forward? They’re down 2-1 in the series, but they’ve now shown they have the flexibility to adjust their game plan when needed. With Lillard off the mark, they’ve learned that they don’t have to rely solely on him to win. Trent’s shooting, Giannis’ playmaking, and the overall team effort were enough to secure this crucial win. But, for the Bucks to continue advancing, they’ll need Lillard to rediscover his rhythm. The good news? They’ve proven they can still win without him at his best.
Giannis’ leadership and adaptability, coupled with Trent’s unlikely star turn, have given the Bucks hope. But the key moving forward will be whether Damian Lillard can bounce back. If he does, this team becomes even more dangerous. With the game plan now in full swing and a stronger team mentality in place, the Bucks are ready to push ahead.
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