Bucks' Damian Lillard Given Technical Foul Despite Not Playing

Nine-time All-Star Milwaukee Bucks point guard Damian Lillard received a technical foul after jawing at two-time All-Star Indiana Pacers point guard Tyrese Haliburton and three-time All-Star Indiana power forward during a blowout road game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, as Tony East of ClutchPoints notes.

Damian Lillard is up off the bench as has a ton of words for Pascal Siakam. Entire Pacers bench is up near midcourt. Refs trying to keep people on their side of the floor.
— Tony East (@TonyREast) April 19, 2025

That in and of itself is unsurprising. The playoffs are intense, and emotions can run high.

The weird part, though, is that Damian Lillard isn't even playing in this game.

Lillard has some words for Haliburton during the timeout as the Bucks are challenging the call. Not sure what he's upset about.

Siakam and Lillard each given a technical foul.
— Scott Agness (@ScottAgness) April 19, 2025

He continues to work his way out from a right deep vein thrombosis (blood clot), but still managed to get into it with Haliburton off the Bucks' bench.

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As of this writing Indiana leads Milwaukee by 21 points, 116-95, with 59.6 seconds left in regulation and the game all but over. Both Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle and Bucks head coach Doc Rivers have brought in their benches to wrap up the contest, for the most part — although starting Milwaukee point guard Ryan Rollins (in for Lillard) is still out there.

Nine-time All-Star Bucks power forward Giannis Antetokounmpo turned in a terrific individual performance, at least on offense. Antetokounmpo logged a 36-point, 12-rebound double-double before Rivers subbed him out for the night. He couldn't contain his All-Star Pacers counterpart, power forward Pascal Siakam, however. The 6-foot-8 vet scored a Pacers-best 25 points.

Haliburton has been having an inconsistent scoring performance, but his passing and communication have been critical components of the Pacers' likely Game 1 victory.

Tyrese Haliburton 🏎️💨

"That's IndyCar speed." pic.twitter.com/YQUBVpEVnU
— Indiana Pacers (@Pacers) April 19, 2025

Lillard is hoping to back up his words with his actions at some point in this series. He is reportedly targeting a return as soon as Game 2 or Game 3.

Milwaukee will have its first opportunity to avenge this embarrassing (probable) defeat on Tuesday, when the Pacers will host Milwaukee at Gainbridge Fieldhouse for Game 2.

There's already some significant postseason history between these two teams. The Antetokounmpo-Lillard vintage of Milwaukee secured the East's No. 3 seed last season despite some coaching upheaval and major injury issues for Khris Middleton (now with the Washington Wizards).

But health problems ultimately doomed their first round matchup against the lower-seeded Indiana last spring. Lillard missed two games, while Antetokounmpo sat out the entire series. The Pacers won in six games, and eventually advanced all the way to the Eastern Conference Finals.

More Milwaukee Bucks:

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How Bobby Portis Can Replace Damian Lillard in Bucks Lineup

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