Mar 18, 2025; San Francisco, California, USA; Milwaukee Bucks guard Damian Lillard (right) chats up Golden State Warriors assistant coach Ron Adams before a game at Chase Center. “There is optimism that Damian Lillard will be cleared at some point before the playoffs,” Charamia said.

The Bucks can't have momentary lapses in fast break defense, even for a few possessions, in their first-round series against the Pacers.

The Pacers went 4-1 in the five meetings last season, followed by a 4-2 triumph in the first round. Things flipped this season, with the Bucks taking three of four (and the loss coming on Haliburton’s four-point play with three seconds left).