The NBA playoffs are known for their intensity, and Game 1 between the Indiana Pacers and Milwaukee Bucks delivered plenty of drama—both on and off the court.
Despite being sidelined due to a calf injury, Bucks star Damian Lillard made his presence felt with some heated trash talk directed at Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton. The exchange, captured in leaked audio, has since gone viral.
The incident occurred during a timeout in the fourth quarter, with the Pacers firmly in control of the game.
Dame: “We suck? We’re gonna see about that… and I’ll beat your a**”
Siakam: “Why is he talking… hoe a** n****”
Haliburton told Siakam: “It’s time to get them the f*ck out of here”
LEAKED Audio Of Damian Lillard Trash Talking Tyrese Haliburton👀:
Dame: “We suck? We’re gonna see about that… and I’ll beat your a**”
Siakam: “Why is he talking… hoe a** n****”
Then, Haliburton told Siakam: “It’s time to get them the f*ck out of here” pic.twitter.com/y0411gPTSh
— LegendZ (@legendz_nba) April 20, 2025
The tension between Lillard and Haliburton is not new. Their rivalry dates back to the 2023 In-Season Tournament, where Haliburton mimicked Lillard’s signature “Dame Time” celebration after a Pacers victory. Lillard later advised Haliburton to “stay humble,” setting the stage for their ongoing feud.
While Lillard’s words may have fired up the Bucks, they were unable to translate that energy into a comeback. The Pacers dominated from start to finish, securing a 117-98 victory. Haliburton, despite struggling with his shot (3-for-13 from the field), contributed 10 points, 12 assists, and seven rebounds, showcasing his playmaking ability. Siakam led the Pacers with 25 points, while Myles Turner and Andrew Nembhard added 19 and 17 points, respectively.
For the Bucks, Giannis Antetokounmpo was a lone bright spot, scoring 36 points and grabbing 12 rebounds. However, the absence of Lillard on the court was evident, as Milwaukee struggled to find consistent scoring and shot just 41.7% from the field.
With Game 2 set for Tuesday, the Bucks are hopeful that Lillard will return to action and let his play do the talking. The Pacers, meanwhile, will look to maintain their momentum and take a commanding 2-0 series lead.
