Obi Toppin scored 21 points, T.J. McConnell had 20 points and nine assists, leading the Indiana Pacers to their first playoff series win in ten years. They beat the Milwaukee Bucks 120-98 in Game 6 on Thursday night.
The Pacers are set to play against New York in the Eastern Conference semifinals starting Monday.
This significant victory for Indiana happened exactly 30 years after their first playoff advancement in franchise history when they swept Orlando 3-0. Giannis Antetokounmpo was absent once again due to a left calf strain sustained on April 9.
Damian Lillard made a return from a right Achilles injury, performing well but not as dominantly as his first two games where he scored 69 points.
Lillard ended with 28 points on 7-of-16 shooting.
Bobby Portis Jr. contributed 20 points and 15 rebounds for Milwaukee, with Brook Lopez and Khris Middleton also making contributions.
Tyrese Haliburton, a two-time All-Star, scored 17 points, made 10 assists, and secured six rebounds for Indiana. Pascal Siakam finished with 19 points and seven rebounds. Both Toppin and McConnell achieved their highest scoring totals in playoffs, with McConnell also making four steals.
