The Indiana Pacers are officially playoff-bound for the second consecutive season and have clinched homecourt advantage for the first time since 2020. On Friday night, the Pacers lost to the Orlando Magic and are now officially locked in as the No. 4 seed in the East. Additionally, Friday was a big night for the Pacers as they now know exactly who they will face in the first round of the playoffs. However, while the Pacers should feel happy about their outlook for the playoffs, their first-round opponent may be a bigger threat than they initially wanted.
The Pacers' first-round playoff opponent is now set in stone
After their victory over the Detroit Pistons, the Milwaukee Bucks have officially clinched the No. 5 seed in the East and will take on the Pacers in the first round of the playoffs. This is the second consecutive year the Pacers will take on the Bucks in the first round of the playoffs. Last year, they eliminated Milwaukee in six games, and they will aim to repeat this result this season. However, things will be difficult for Indiana this time around.
During the regular season, the Pacers went 1-3 against the Bucks, with their one victory ending in a one-point win. Furthermore, while the Pacers have been hot for most of 2025, the Bucks have been borderline unstoppable in recent weeks.
Since the beginning of April, the Bucks are 7-0 with a point differential of 71 points. Only the Los Angeles Clippers (92 points) have a better point differential during that span, according to StatMuse.
The Bucks gave the Pacers trouble all season and are getting hot at the perfect time. Furthermore, Giannis Antetokounmpo has turned it up in the last month without Damian Lillard, who remains out with a blood clot. Milwaukee has one game remaining on their schedule, but no matter what happens, they will enter the playoffs on a high note, which may not bode well for Indiana.
There is a lot to like about the Pacers' chances of going on a deep playoff run this year, and that includes dealing with the Bucks in the first round. However, it is fair to say this will not be a cakewalk for the Pacers.
Luckily for the Pacers, they will begin the playoffs at home, where they have been solid all season long. And though this will be a tough challenge to overcome, the Pacers have built a reputation as one of the most resilient teams in the league. Hopefully for them, they will send the Bucks home in the first round of the playoffs for the second straight year.