Indiana
Bucks vs. Pacers: Giannis immolates Indiana (again)
It took all four quarters of play, but the Milwaukee Bucks eventually found their groove on the road against the Indiana Pacers for a 120-112 victory in Giannis Antetokounmpo’s return from illness. Giannis would lead all scorers with 30 points (26 in the second half) and added 12 rebounds and five assists for good measure. Brook Lopez, Khris Middleton, Bobby Portis, and Gary Trent Jr. would contribute 16, 15, 14, and 14 points, respectively in what wound up being a relatively complete team performance. Even Damian Lillard’s nine points arrived at a crucial time to help break Milwaukee’s three-point deadlock. The Bucks would be good for a 19 point comeback and they now lead the season series between these teams at 2-0.
Read our full summary of the game here and catch a six-minute audio recap on the Bucks+ podcast Bucks In Six Minutes below.
What Did We Learn?
There is plausibly just enough depth of scoring and defensive versatility on this roster to grind out victories even when Milwaukee’s big three are off their games for stretches at a go. Giannis, Dame, and Khris combined for a whopping 14 points and seven turnovers in the first half, yet the Bucks held a slight lead after one frame thanks in part to timely interior scoring from the likes of Lopez and a quick trigger jumper from GTJ. Once Giannis found his rhythm in the second half the team was able to ride his dominance (26 points on 10-16 from the floor, 6-11 from the line, and eight rebounds) and continuing contributions from the rotation to a massive turnaround.
The most interesting defensive fold was the amount of zone run by head coach Doc Rivers in the second half. Rather than continue trying to stick with Indiana’s quicker players in the team’s base zone-drop scheme—which struggled mightily in the second quarter and start of the third—the Bucks went into a zone with Bobby and Giannis anchoring the interior. Indiana struggled to find the room to generate open looks and their quick offense began to sputter, often settling for tough contested midrange attempts with two Bucks draped all over the driver. Good opposing offenses can normally unlock a zone in somewhat short order, but Milwaukee’s personnel did well to avoid any serious breakdowns.
Three Giannis Midrange Jumpers
If you are the type to go back and watch the game in its entirety again, it’d be hard to miss just how much Giannis was laboring in the first half. There were a few moments when he got a chance to stand still (with or without the ball) and was heaving for breath—obviously the lingering aftereffects of whatever respiratory bug he and Lillard had battled this past week. The result? A lot of blown shots close to the basket, turnovers, and substandard effort.
Should that trend have held in the second half it’d have been equal parts understandable and a leading reason why a loss felt in the offing. Instead, Giannis ginned up just enough execution to claw his way back into things before firing on all cylinders to close the game. A notable component that got him on track was his jumper. It is a tool that has come and gone over the past few seasons on an almost game-to-game basis, but last night it was effective enough to lift his scoring and pay off isolation looks. Here are three of those makes, two of which came with a hefty deficit to keep Milwaukee moving and the last being a very tough baseline fader which drew the Bucks within two:
Ah hell, let’s just break convention and look at his other two jumpers with the game on the line because they’re that fun to watch:
There is a reason why we salivate over the possibility of Giannis ever happening upon a jumpshot that has any level of replicability: it’d instantly transform the depth of his offensive game from dominance to possible transcendence. About 22% of his two point looks have been pull-ups this season which is his highest mark since 2021-2022 and he’s making them at a 43.6% rate. Definitely something to keep an eye on heading forward.
Bonus Bucks Bits
- How about Gary Trent Jr.? His scoring punch at the end of the first quarter (a personal 8-0 run helped push Milwaukee to a small lead) and a pair of threes in the fourth were beautifully timed when the team needed it most. The past week has seen him cement a spot in Doc’s closing lineup and gets the mind wondering whether another stint as a starter could be in the offing.
- Brook Lopez went 7-8 from inside the arc, a leading reason why the Bucks maintained touching distance with Indiana with a quiet first half from the stars.
- Damian Lillard had a quiet night in part because the Pacers were relentless in trying to pick him up over 3/4ths of the court and constant trapping. Andrew Nembhard did a very solid job robbing Lillard of any space on-ball and Dame’s teammates weren’t super quick to react and move to give Dame a bailout passing lane or screen to free him up. A 3-14 mark from the floor isn’t ideal, but he did hit those three second-half threes. That’ll do.
- Shoutout to Ryan Rollins for his 90 second cameo to start the fourth quarter. It is obvious that he’s going to drop like a rock out of the rotation if everyone is healthy, but there are worse jobs in the world than “guy who gives Lillard a small breather” in the NBA.
- The in-arena mics are getting better at picking up Bobby Portis dropping “ball don’t lie” on opponents after missed free throws. We’ve heard him hit that line with an expletive thrown in for good measure two games in a row. If he’s right, he’s right.
- Andre Jackson Jr. registered a mere 12 minutes of play. Now that the rotation is coming back into place I’ve a feeling he’ll be given far less margin for error by the coaching staff heading forward. Either he responds and finds a new level or risks seeing his spot in the rotation at risk.
Up Next
It is back to home sweet home for the Bucks when they play host to the Brooklyn Nets on Thursday, January 2nd. With Brooklyn wandering ever more into full-on fire sale mode, can Milwaukee find the gumption to even the season series up at 2-2? You can find out at 7:00 PM (CST) on FanDuel Sports Network Wisconsin, and our Playback channel!
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INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — A fourth person has been arrested in connection with a sex-trafficking ring that resulted in two young women being rescued by Indianapolis authorities.
Tyree White, 31, is facing charges of rape, human trafficking, and making an unlawful proposition following a monthslong investigation and his subsequent arrest Tuesday.
The investigation started after IMPD’s Northwest District officers conducted a welfare check on a teenager at an Indianapolis hotel in August. While speaking with the victim, officers recognized signs of potential sex trafficking. The victim then led officers to two other hotel rooms, where they located a suspect and another possible victim.
Two other suspects, Lovie Grace, 31, and Tamya McKinney, 18, were taken into custody at the hotel.
Detectives served search warrants and found Grace in possession of a large amount of cash and keys to both rooms. He was arrested on charges of rape, promotion of human sexual trafficking, criminal confinement, human trafficking, battery with injury, and possession of cocaine.
The following day, a second victim contacted investigators to provide more information. McKinney was then arrested three days later on a warrant for promoting prostitution.
As the investigation continued, detectives identified a third person involved in the ring.
Kayla Willoughby, 29, was arrested after investigators gathered evidence linking her to the operation. She faces charges of promoting human sexual trafficking, prostitution, human trafficking and promoting prostitution.
Detectives eventually identified a fourth suspect and obtained an arrest warrant for White on Jan. 28, charging him preliminarily with rape, human trafficking, and making an unlawful proposition.
On Tuesday, members of the East District Violent Crimes Task Force convinced White to speak with investigators. He arrived at the East District Roll Call for an interview and was subsequently arrested on the active warrant.
IMPD Deputy Chief Kendale Adams credited the rescue of the two women to the initial officers’ observations and the victims’ willingness to cooperate with the department.
“From the first officers on scene to our Vice and Human Trafficking detectives, this case shows what focused police work and victim trust can accomplish,” Adams said. “Because a victim felt safe enough to speak up, officers recognized the signs, acted quickly, and ultimately helped rescue two young women from a trafficking situation. Our detectives stayed on this case, followed every lead and worked until every suspect was identified and arrested.”
The Marion County Prosecutor’s Office will make final charging decisions for White.
Grace, McKinney, and Willoughby are due in court for jury trials on March 2. White will appear for his initial hearing on Friday morning.
Help is available for victims of domestic violence, child abuse, and sexual assault. Below is a list of suggested resources, both national and local:
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MERRILLVILLE, Ind. (WLS) — A protest was held Wednesday in Northwest Indiana over rising utility costs.
NIPSCO customers gathered outside the company’s headquarters in Merrillville, Indiana. They say they’re having a tough time paying for skyrocketing winter bills and are being forced to make hard choices.
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NIPSCO appeared to be prepared for Wednesday’s protest. Construction cones and barriers were at every entrance to their building.
However, that did not stop dozens of upset Northwest Indiana residents from raising their voices against an energy company they believe is taking advantage of its customers.
As a customer, I feel a little betrayed,” Hobart resident Ramon Reyes said.
Reyes says he worked for NIPSCO for 10 years as a construction electrician, and now he’s protesting his former employer, concerned for his elderly mother.
“How do you go from a $200, $300 bill to, like, $500 you know?” Ramon Reyes said. “How does a 96-year-old lady make that up?”
Dozens of people took turns at a microphone calling out NIPSCO for what they’re calling exorbitant increases to their bills.
READ MORE | Northwest Indiana NIPSCO customers shocked as bills skyrocket
“It has to be a mistake,” Valparaiso resident Carmelo Reyes said. “This can’t be correct.”
Carmelo Reyes said he’s a disabled veteran, and with his wife experiencing significant health challenges, he says he’s facing a difficult decision.
“My wife is in the hospital because she had an aneurysm, and I have to decide, what am I going to do heat the house or help my wife with her medicine?” Carmelo Reyes said.
NIPSCO answered ABC7’s request for a response to customers’ concerns, saying “Customers are not alone in seeing higher Delivery Charges right now. Because of the cold temperatures, customers across our service area are using more natural gas than they were in warmer months… We want to reassure customers that NIPSCO does not control or mark up the cost of natural gas… Those prices come directly from market prices, and we simply pass them through based on customer usage.”
Merrillville 2nd Ward Town Councilwoman Shauna Haynes-Edwards is feeling the impact just like the people she serves.
“I feel like it’s a company that knows what they’re doing, and they know that they’re the only company that we have to use,” Haynes-Edwards said.
This realization is leaving local elected leaders and customers alike wondering what, if any, recourse they have.
“We’re at their mercy, because we have no one else to go to,” Munster resident Leilani Suchanuk said.
The people said they want NIPSCO to hear their concerns and do what’s right. They plan to continue to make their voices heard through protest.
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BLOOMINGTON — Indiana appears likely to enjoy a quiet (traditional) national signing day Wednesday, with so much of the Hoosiers’ 2026 work already wrapped up.
The date remains important for Curt Cignetti — it is in some ways his informal calendar turn, the point at which Cignetti allows both himself and his staff time to breathe before reconvening to plan for the coming spring. Cignetti deadpanned after the national title game last month that he’ll likely point himself toward “some nice, hot-weather island (for) about a week” after the old signing date comes and goes.
He will do so safe in the knowledge that not only is 2026 broadly well-tended in Bloomington, but 2027 is off to a promising start as well. With five commitments in the bag and some intriguing targets at the top of the list, let’s take an early look at where things stand for Indiana in the matriculating junior class.
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Players listed alphabetically.
One of three Navy All-Americans already in the fold in 2027, Brown picked the Hoosiers on the day of that game, following Indiana’s Peach Bowl victory in the same weekend.
Listed at 5 foot 10, 175 pounds, Rivals industry rankings ranks him the No. 357 prospect in his class, and the No. 7 player in the state of Kentucky. He picked the Hoosiers over offers from, among others, Alabama, Louisville, Ole Miss and Vanderbilt.
Brown helped his team win a state title last fall, leading Christian Academy to a 15-0 record in the process. He finished his junior year with 98 catches for 1,566 yards and 24 touchdowns.
Brown’s teammate both in high school and at the Navy All-American Game, Hobbs actually spent last season at Atherton before returning to CAL earlier this year.
Hobbs was named first-team all-state honors as a defensive back in 2025, helping the Ravens to their first Class 5A state semifinal appearance. He finished with 71 tackles, 11 for loss, with five interceptions, three sacks, two fumbles forced and one recovered.
He also caught 35 passes for 583 yards, with 15 total touchdowns across offense, defense and special teams. Hobbs currently projects as a back-end defensive back in college.
“Impact player on both sides of the ball,” Atherton coach Anthony White told the Louisville Courier-Journal earlier this year. “You looking for the best pound-for-pound football player in the state? Here you go. He can do it all. No true weaknesses in his game. I’ve seen him score every way possible.”
The Kentucky Football Coaches Association named Hobbs Class 5A District Three player of the year last year. He’s the No. 7-ranked player in his state, in his class, per Rivals.
The first in-state commitment in Indiana’s 2027 class, Jones picked the Hoosiers following a visit to Bloomington last weekend for a junior day.
The 6-6, 275-pound prospect is listed by some recruiting services as an offensive tackle. What he will represent to IU — an in-state lineman identified by trusted position coach Bob Bostad as an important early target in his class — is more valuable.
Jones picked Indiana over offers from Toledo, Western Michigan and Miami (Ohio), per 247Sports. He garnered all-state honors from the IFCA as a junior, helping lead Michigan City to eight wins in 2025.
An Indiana legacy, Purcell kicked off Cignetti’s 2027 class when he committed to his parents’ alma mater in late July.
That decision made him an early cornerstone of what’s already trending toward becoming the highest-ranked class in IU history. A top-25 (247Sports) and top-35 (Rivals) recruit at his position, Purcell represents a promising long-term future behind center.
Across 12 games last fall, Purcell passed for 2,871 yards and 28 touchdowns, against nine interceptions. In two years behind center for Maine South, he’s logged more than 5,400 yards passing, plus another 404 on the ground, with 70 combined rushing and passing touchdowns.
Purcell led the Hawks to 10 wins in 2025.
The highest-rated of IU’s five commitments thus far in ’27, Torbert sits just one spot outside Rivals top 250 nationally. That same service rates him top-10 both at his position and in his state (Ohio).
Torbert is the third of those All-American Bowl participants to commit to the Hoosiers in the rising class. He did so while passing on offers from, among others, Pitt, Iowa and his hometown Bearcats.
He played last season at Taft High School, starring at both quarterback at defensive back. Torbert combined for more than 2,100 total yards of offense in 2025, posting 31 total touchdowns.
His commitment represents not just an important win on the recruiting trail but also further inroads made in the talent-rich Cincinnati area, one Cignetti and his staff have prioritized across their early classes in Bloomington. IU enjoys a healthy history of Queen City-adjacent prep talents enjoying success in Bloomington, the recent list including players like Peyton Ramsey, Tegray Scales, Simon Stepaniak and Marcus Oliver.
A few more names to know …
Lawrence North WR Monshun Sales: One of the highest-rated receivers in the country, the Indy native has been a priority target for Cignetti and offensive coordinator Mike Shanahan for some time now. Indiana will have to fight off some of the top schools in the country for his commitment.
Cedar Hill (Texas) DL Jalen Brewster: The top-rated defensive lineman in his class, per 247Sports, Brewster is committed to Texas Tech but remains a priority for IU. Assistant coach Pat Kuntz recently paid Brewster a visit.
Chicago Mount Carmel WR Quentin Burrell: A four-star pass catcher, Burrell reportedly visited Bloomington recently.
New Palestine TE Mason Oglesby: One of the top players in the state in 2027, Oglesby was in attendance for the Hoosiers’ CFP national title celebration in Bloomington last month. IU is considered among the top contenders for his commitment as things stand.
Noblesville OL Mason McDermott: A four-star trench prospect from Noblesville, McDermott is among the Hoosiers’ top targets at his position. He’s a top-20 player at his position, per Rivals, which also rates him top-250 nationally.
Want more Hoosiers coverage? Sign up for IndyStar’s Hoosiers newsletter. Listen to Mind Your Banners, our IU Athletics-centric podcast, on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. Watch the latest on IndyStar TV: Hoosiers.
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