Tyler Herro compiled 23 points, 10 rebounds and seven assists as the Milwaukee Bucks notched the first win of the Taylor Jenkins era, defeating the visiting Indiana Pacers 110-102 on Monday.
Ryan Rollins added 19, Kyle Kuzma had 17 and Kel’el Ware paired 16 points with 14 rebounds as Milwaukee avoided its first 0-4 start to a season since 1976-77, 50 years ago.
Tyrese Haliburton posted 22 points and nine assists for Indiana, while Pascal Siakam chalked up 20 points, 13 boards and six assists.
The short-handed Pacers, who had only nine standard-contract players available with Andrew Nembhard (neck and back) and Ivica Zubac (left ankle sprain) joining a lengthy injury list, ran out of puff after closing the deficit to 101-98 with 3:54 remaining.
Indiana hit its last field goal with 4:29 remaining, missing its last 10 and going 4 of 22 in the fourth quarter, to be outscored 26-17.
The Pacers went on a 12-0 spree either side of the first-quarter horn to seize control after they trailed 31-29 after one.
The Bucks went cold in the second frame, shooting 8 of 24 from the field, including 3 of 13 from deep.
Meanwhile, Indiana knocked down 6 of 11 from 3-point range, led by Haliburton and Aaron Nesmith, winning the quarter 32-19 to storm ahead 61-50 at half-time.
Milwaukee pinched the momentum back in the third, despite Haliburton racking up seven assists for the period.
The Pacers hit just 2 of 11 from long range for the quarter, while the Bucks countered with 6 of 12 — spearheaded by Herro, whose 11-point frame came on 3 of 4 from beyond the arc.
Milwaukee crept back in front before Haliburton drained a stepback three to restore Indiana’s lead, 85-84, with one to play.
The Bucks launched the fourth period with a 10-1 rush to move in front, Indiana starting with three turnovers and going without a field goal until Haliburton’s three-point play with 7:13 remaining.
Milwaukee’s advantage was 101-92 before Siakam responded with six straight points.
–Field Level Media
