This time a year ago, the Milwaukee Bucks were licking their wounds and contemplating a path forward after a historic first-round collapse against the Miami Heat, in which they became the sixth team to lose to a No. 8 seed in the first round since the league adopted a 16-team playoff format in 1984. 

Two head coaches, a blockbuster trade and another season later, they are staring another first-round exit in the face. Despite a valiant effort on Sunday night in Indianapolis, they ran out of steam in the fourth quarter of Game 4 and fell to the Indiana Pacers, 126-113. 

As the Bucks return home, they do so down 3-1 — a deficit they have never overcome in franchise history. Considering the circumstances, it’s unlikely this will be the first time. While last season came to an early end because the players and coaching staff failed in the biggest moments, the Bucks are being done in by sheer bad luck this time around. 

A missing MVP

In the third quarter of the Bucks’ matchup with the Boston Celtics on April 9, the team was cruising to one of its best wins of the season when Giannis Antetokounmpo suddenly collapsed and grabbed for his lower left leg. The initial fear emanating from him, his teammates and the entire arena that night was palpable. Non-contact leg injuries are among the worst sights on a basketball court. 

Thankfully, the MRI on his leg revealed no Achilles tendon damage, but it did indicate a calf strain that has kept him off the court ever since. It remains unclear when, or if, he’s going to play again this season, and that answer might depend on whether the Bucks can salvage a victory on Tuesday night in Game 5. 

Antetokounmpo’s workout on Sunday morning “went well,” Bucks head coach Doc Rivers said. “He moved, He shot. He’s running now with no resistance, so those are all very good signs.” Rivers added that he was “optimistic” that Antetokounmpo would see the floor, but offered no specific timeline. 

Down goes Lillard

In the lead up to this series, Damian Lillard was not on the practice court with the Bucks. Maintenance was the explanation. Lillard had been battling a few nagging injuries — adductor, groin, Achilles — and the team wanted to be cautious with Antetokounmpo already sidelined. It was not until April 19, two days before Game 1, that Lillard was able to go through a full practice. He admitted he was “concerned” about some of the problems at first, but said the time off had him feeling great. 

That was evident in the first half of Game 1, as he poured in a record-setting 35 points to get the Bucks off to a winning start in the series. The Pacers’ relentless pressure seemed to wear him down after that, however, and in Game 3 everything all fell apart. He twisted his knee in an awkward collision with Pascal Siakam in the first quarter, then re-aggravated his Achilles injury in the closing seconds of regulation. 

Lillard said during his post-game press conference on Friday that his “plan” was to play in Game 4, but his Achilles would not cooperate. He didn’t do anything on the court on Sunday and the team soon announced he was out for the game. Rivers would not rule him out for the series, but much like Antetokounmpo he may need his teammates to extend the season if he wants to get back out there. 

Middleton’s injury woes continue

A few minutes into the first quarter of Game 2 earlier this week, Khris Middleton dribbled to his left off a screen and was fouled by Siakam. In the process, he stepped on Siakam’s foot and rolled his right ankle. A few minutes later, he hobbled back to the locker room, though he eventually returned after getting his ankle re-taped. He was ineffective from that point on, finishing with 15 points on 14 shots in the Bucks’ loss. 

Middleton didn’t practice in between Games 2 and 3, and there was concern he wouldn’t be able to go on Friday night. In the end, he suited up and played one of the best games of his career on a hobbled ankle, though it ended in defeat. That would not be the last of his ankle problems. 

Early in the third quarter of Game 4, Myles Turner landed on his leg after a layup attempt and he tweaked his left ankle. Again, he stayed in the game, but shot 4-of-12 following that incident. 

It appears Middleton will soldier on, but to what effect remains to be seen. Expecting another performance like Game 3 is asking a lot on two bad ankles. The Bucks may need him to summon one, however, if they want to keep playing beyond Tuesday night. 

Assuming the Bucks lose this series, general manager Jon Horst and the rest of the front office will face some tough questions about this season and their role in the outcome. There was plenty they could, and should, have done differently over the past year. The devastating rash of injuries that cost the team its two best players at the most important moment, however, will not be on the list of mistakes. 

As the Bucks know better than most franchises, sometimes you just have bad luck. 

MILWAUKEE – The 12-year-old accused of shooting and killing his mom over a video game returns to court on Monday, April 29.

Prosecutors say the boy was 10 years old when he shot his mom inside their Milwaukee home.

Now, the Milwaukee boy charged with killing his own mother over a virtual reality headset is preparing to face a judge.

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His attorneys want him out of adult court, and so does his dad.

“I think he should be prosecuted in children’s court,” the dad said.

That testimony happened March 12th, shortly before the reverse waiver hearing was put on hold because of a scheduling conflict.

FOX6 isn’t naming the boy because of his age.

“Even with us talking, he has yet to say anything in regards to his mother,” the dad said.

Prosecutors say the boy was ten years old when he killed his mom, Quiana Mann, for waking him up early and not buying him a virtual reality headset.

Prosecutors charged the boy with 1st-degree intentional homicide.

Due to the seriousness of the crime, he is automatically charged as an adult.

The reverse waiver hearing allows the boy’s defense team to fight for him to be moved into the juvenile court system. 

“To transfer him to children’s court is to acknowledge that he deserves to continue down the path to the intensive treatment and care that Quiana used to get for her son,” said Tanner Kilander, the boy’s defense attorney.

“He took the gun, he went downstairs. At a distance of three feet or less, he pointed the gun with both hands, adopted a shooting stance and fired that gun,” added Kilander.

The boy’s defense team says at the time of the shooting, he struggled with mental health issues worsened by a head injury.

They say the juvenile system has more resources for him to receive treatment.

“The reality is our adult court system does not have near enough treatment for anyone. The juvenile court system has a lot more treatment options and that’s what the attorneys are trying to argue,” said Jonathon Lavoy, an area attorney not affiliated with the case.

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Prosecutors say if the boy is placed in the juvenile system, he could get out too soon.

“I think it’s an interesting case where we can see the needs of this child compared with the need to protect the community,” added Lavoy.

It’s a hearing with a lot on the line, including a 12-year-old’s future.

The hearing is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. Monday, April 29.

The Milwaukee Bucks and the Indiana Pacers meet in Game 4 of their Eastern Conference first-round 2024 NBA Playoffs series today. After winning the last two duels, Indiana now holds a 2-1 lead in the series. Milwaukee has championship experience though, so today’s game is not to be missed.

Watch Today’s Game on Sling TV

The Bucks came up just short in Game 3 on Friday, falling 121-118 in overtime. Milwaukee will likely need another massive performance from Khris Middleton today considering the Bucks could be without Damian Lillard, who suffered an Achilles injury. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.

Here’s everything you need to know about how to watch the Milwaukee Bucks vs. Indiana Pacers NBA Playoff game, including the full series schedule and free livestream options.

How to Watch the Bucks vs. Pacers Playoff Game Without Cable

The best-of-seven playoff series between the Milwaukee Bucks and Indiana Pacers will be televised between TNT, NBA TV and ESPN. If you don’t have cable, you can watch Game 4 on TNT today with a live TV streaming subscription to Sling TV, FuboTV or Hulu + Live TV.

Watch Bucks vs. Pacers Game 4 on Sling TV

Right now, there is a Sling TV deal offering $25 off your first month — bringing the Orange package with TNT down to just $15 and the comprehensive Orange + Blue package to $35. Sling TV comes with 50 hours of free cloud-based DVR recording space, perfect for recording the 2024 NBA Playoffs if you’re not home to watch it live.

You can also save $30 when you prepay $90 for three months of the Sling TV Orange tier.

Watch Bucks vs. Pacers Game 4 for Free on FuboTV

FuboTV’s sports-focused live TV streaming service has nearly every channel you’ll need to watch the 2024 NBA playoff games. Subscribers can watch the Bucks vs. Pacers game on TNT by subscribing to Max’s Bleacher Report Sports Add-On tier. Fubo also comes with 1,000 hours of cloud DVR storage.

A Fubo subscription costs $79.99 per month and the B/R Sports Add-on costs $9.99 a month, but the streamer is offering a seven-day free trial right now.

Watch Bucks vs. Pacers Game 4 for Free on Hulu + Live TV

You can watch the Bucks vs. Pacers game with Hulu + Live TV, which comes with access to more than 95 live channels, including ABC, TNT and ESPN. It also includes the ESPN+ streaming service. After a three-day free trial, prices start at $76.99 per month and subscriptions come with Hulu’s entire streaming library, Disney+ and ESPN+ included for free.

What time is the Milwaukee Bucks vs. Indiana Pacers Playoff Game 4?

Game 4 between the Milwaukee Bucks and the Indiana Pacers will be played on Sunday, April 28, 2024 at 7 p.m. ET (5 p.m. PT)

Milwaukee Bucks vs. Indiana Pacers First Round Schedule

The first-round series between the Bucks and Pacers started on Sunday, April 21, 2024. Here is the full schedule to catch all the action. 

GAME 1: Indiana at Milwaukee; Sunday, April 21 (7 p.m. ET, TNT)

GAME 2: Indiana at Milwaukee; Tuesday, April 23 (8:30 p.m. ET, NBA TV)

GAME 3: Milwaukee at Indiana; Friday, April 26 (5:30 p.m. ET, ESPN)

GAME 4: Milwaukee at Indiana; Sunday April 28 (7 p.m. ET, TNT)

GAME 5: Indiana at Milwaukee; Tuesday, April 30 (TBD, TBD)*

GAME 6: Milwaukee at Indiana; Thursday, May 2 (TBD, TBD)*

GAME 7: Indiana at Milwaukee; Saturday, May 4 (TBD, TNT)*

* = If necessary

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