JUST NOW: The Milwaukee Bucks to face a very strong team in the opening round of the 2024 playoffs.

The Milwaukee Bucks will face the Indiana Pacers in the opening round of the 2024 playoffs. They have lost four out of their five regular-season meetings with Rick Carlisle’s team, so the upcoming series projects to be a battle for both rosters.

Doc Rivers will be tasked with guiding Milwaukee on a deep playoff run. The Bucks were eliminated in the first round last season. According to NBA insider Brian Windhorst, should the Bucks suffer a similar fate this year, it could cost them Giannis Antetokounmpo.

“If they lose in the first round – and that’s a big statement right there number one – if they lose in the first round, the first person you’re worried about isn’t Dame. It’s Giannis,” he said on ESPN’s “Get Up.” “You want to make sure Giannis is still committed.”

“If [the Bucks] go down in the first round again … I’m not sure where Giannis is going to be.”

Giannis is currently dealing with a calf injury suffered when facing the Boston Celtics on April 9. He could potentially miss the opening games of the series. Without him, the Bucks could struggle to slow down Indiana’s high-paced offense.

Furthermore, Milwaukee will become overreliant on Damian Lillard, who has been inconsistent during his first season with the franchise.

Last summer, the Bucks acquired Lillard to show Giannis they were committed to competing for championships during his prime. A second straight first-round exit would be disastrous for the team, regardless of whether he’s out of the rotation or not.

The Bucks must find a way to overcome the Pacers if they want to keep their word to Giannis. Lillard must improve and show signs of being the player we saw in Portland.

Milwaukee’s future could rest on its upcoming playoff series. After a difficult season, it will need to dig down deep and prove it is still capable of contending for a championship.