For the second consecutive season, the Indiana Pacers will take on the Milwaukee Bucks in the first round of the playoffs. Last year, the Pacers eliminated the Bucks in six games, and they will hope for the same result this time around. Unlike last season, the Pacers have homecourt advantage over the Bucks.
During the regular season, the Pacers went 1-3 against the Bucks, with their lone win being a one-point victory. Still, they ended the season with a better record and ended the regular season as one of the hottest teams in 2025. The Bucks, meanwhile, ended the season on an eight-game winning streak and will look for that momentum to carry over into the postseason.
Here is the full schedule for the Pacers and Bucks in the first round of the 2025 NBA Playoffs.
Pacers vs. Bucks 2025 NBA Playoffs full first round schedule
Day | Date | Game | Home | Away | Time | TV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
SUN | 4/19 | 1 | Pacers | Bucks | 1 PM EST | ESPN |
TUE | 4/22 | 2 | Pacers | Bucks | 7 PM EST | NBATV |
FRI | 4/25 | 3 | Bucks | Pacers | 8 PM EST | ESPN U/NBA TV |
SUN | 4/27 | 4 | Bucks | Pacers | 9:30 PM EST | TNT |
TUE | 4/29 | 5* | Pacers | Bucks | TBD | TBD |
FRI | 5/2 | 6* | Bucks | Pacers | TBD | TBD |
SUN | 5/4 | 7* | Pacers | Bucks | TBD | TBD |
*if necessary
The Pacers will begin their playoff run on Sunday, April 19, at 1 PM EST. This is also the first playoff game of the season, and it will be nationally televised on ESPN.
As is the case for all teams in the playoffs, there are no back-to-backs for Indiana and Milwaukee. Furthermore, they have 3-day gaps between games, which will give both teams the time to travel and rest as much as possible.
The most important game to note is that Game 7 will be in Indiana because of the Pacers finishing the season as the No. 4 seed. Since the Bucks had homecourt advantage last year, they would have hosted Game 7 if the series went that far.
Both teams enter the playoffs with a lot of momentum, and they both have a lot going for them. The Bucks had the Pacers' number in the regular season, and star Giannis Antetokounmpo ended the season playing MVP-caliber basketball. However, they will be without Damian Lillard to begin the series, and it does not help that they will also begin on the road.
As for the Pacers, they had one of the best records in the NBA in 2025, and their style of play will make them a difficult out. However, it will be tough for them to contain Antetokounmpo and stop a Bucks team that has clicked on all cylinders despite being without their second-best player.
This series should be a close one in theory, and it will be worth monitoring for fans around the league as both teams are capable of going on a deep playoff run this year.