To say that Game 3 between the Pacers and Bucks on April 25 was just another game for the two squads would be an understatement.
In essence, it was a do-or-die situation for the Bucks, as they needed to turn the tide in their favor after falling behind 0-2 against a strong Pacers team. Meanwhile, the Pacers had a chance to build on their momentum from the previous two victories, looking to take a 3-0 lead against a Bucks squad that seemed to be deteriorating.
With Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee as the backdrop, the Bucks showed that not all hope was lost with a 117-101 victory, riding the momentum of two standout player performances.
As always, their superstar big man, Giannis Antetokounmpo, led the charge with a dominant outing, tallying 37 points, 12 rebounds, and six assists. He was bolstered by the contributions of a former Raptors standout who had a key role in the victory.
Go ahead and take a bow, Gary Trent Jr.
In a series where Damian Lillard and Kyle Kuzma have contributed very little, it was the 26-year-old scoring wing who stepped up in a big way with an impressive 37-point explosion. His outstanding night included an incredible 9-for-12 shooting from beyond the arc.
That absurd stat ties Ray Allen for the most three-pointers made in a playoff game for the Bucks. Moreover, with Trent Jr. and Antetokounmpo both scoring 37 points, it marks the first time in franchise history that two Milwaukee players have scored 35 or more points in the same playoff matchup.
Ex-Raptor Gary Trent Jr. delivers historic playoff performance for Bucks
To cap off an already impressive performance, Trent Jr. also recorded four steals—something GTJ became known for during his time in Toronto, where he consistently had an eye for the passing lanes.
Watching Trent Jr. have a night like that brought me back to the glory days of 2021, when he joined Toronto from Portland. He appeared to be a promising, dynamic scoring threat, capable of exploding for 30 points or more on any given night. In fact, he quickly became one of my favorite players in the entire league; I was fully aboard the Trent Jr. hype train, cruising full steam ahead.
But as his tenure with the Raptors progressed, I began to realize that GTJ's peak may have been reached during that Tampa year. Unfortunately, he regressed into a much more streaky scorer, and ultimately, when he wasn’t extended by Toronto, he was forced to sign a minimum deal with the Bucks.
It was tough to see him go, especially since I always wondered why he wasn't viewed as a long-term piece. However, considering his inconsistencies and looming salary expectations, I came to terms with the fact that, from the Raptors' business perspective, it made sense to let him walk in free agency.
If you recall, Trent Jr.'s production in Milwaukee to start the 2024-25 season was looking pretty dismal; it seemed like he hit a scoring roadblock and couldn’t shake off that funk. But even in the dog-eat-dog NBA world, you can never count out a player finding their way back to form.
Gary Trent Jr. reminded everyone that he’s still alive and kicking with a vintage performance that showcased his true talent. Bucks fans are certainly rejoicing in the fruits of his labor, as he made his presence felt when their team needed a boost the most—in a tense, critical playoff matchup.