Damian Lillard's much-anticipated return to the Milwaukee Bucks came after a five-week recovery from deep vein thrombosis, but it couldn't prevent a 123-115 loss against the Indiana Pacers in Game 2 of their playoff series. Despite scoring 14 points in 37 minutes on 4-of-13 shooting, Lillard struggled with his rhythm and shooting consistency. His partnership with MVP candidate Giannis Antetokounmpo marked a significant milestone, as this was their first postseason game together. However, the duo's chemistry will need to be honed quickly; the Bucks now face an 0-2 series deficit.

Lillard performed well initially, scoring 11 points by halftime and showing aggressiveness at the free-throw line. However, he went cold in the second half, contributing only three points. The Pacers effectively countered Lillard's scoring, often assigning Andrew Nembhard to defend against him. As the series progresses to Milwaukee, adjustments to maximize Lillard's effectiveness will be critical if the Bucks are to turn their fortunes around.