# Pacers Take Early Lead in Milwaukee as Bucks Chase Their First Win Developing: Indiana led 54-48 late in the second quarter Monday as Milwaukee tried to avoid its first 0-4 start in 50 years. The final result was not yet available at filing. By The Signal Edition | Sports / Basketball Published: 2026-10-27T01:22:00Z Updated: 2026-10-27T01:22:00Z Canonical: https://www.thesignaledition.com/article/pacers-bucks-milwaukee-first-win-1do5ydy Image: https://www.thesignaledition.com/media/4d393ad1539afefd51918981e624c412.jpg (Exterior of Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, the home arena of the Bucks, illuminated in the evening; credit: Kenny Yoo / Milwaukee Business Journal) ## Summary - Indiana led Milwaukee 54-48 with three minutes left in the second quarter, according to CBS Sports' game tracker; the contest was still underway. - The Bucks entered 0-3 and were trying to avoid their first four-game losing start since the 1976-77 season. - The Pacers arrived 2-1 after scoring 136 points in a win at Brooklyn, but center Ivica Zubac had injured his ankle in that game. ## Indiana moves ahead in the second quarter The Indiana Pacers held a 54-48 advantage over the Milwaukee Bucks with three minutes remaining in the second quarter of Monday's NBA game at Fiserv Forum, according to CBS Sports' live tracker. The game was in progress, and a final score and complete statistics were not available when this article was filed. [1](https://www.cbssports.com/nba/gametracker/live/NBA_20261026_IND%40MIL/) Milwaukee had led 31-29 at the end of the opening quarter, but Indiana moved in front during the second. CBS recorded two Aaron Nesmith three-pointers in that period as the Pacers built their lead. The snapshot reflects the game at the stated point, not its eventual outcome. [1](https://www.cbssports.com/nba/gametracker/live/NBA_20261026_IND%40MIL/) Milwaukee came into the game seeking its first victory after three losses. The Bucks had not begun a season 0-4 since 1976-77, when they lost their first five games, according to a Field Level Media report carried by Reuters. [2](https://www.reuters.com/sports/basketball/winless-bucks-arent-panicking-ahead-matchup-with-pacers--flm-2026-10-26/) ## What went wrong in Milwaukee's opening three games? The Bucks' most recent defeat was a 127-116 loss at Philadelphia on Saturday. Jaime Jaquez Jr. scored 21 points, while Kel'el Ware had 19 points and 13 rebounds. Milwaukee collected 62 rebounds, including 17 at the offensive end, according to independent Bucks outlet Brew Hoop, but Philadelphia held off its fourth-quarter push. [2](https://www.reuters.com/sports/basketball/winless-bucks-arent-panicking-ahead-matchup-with-pacers--flm-2026-10-26/) [3](https://www.brewhoop.com/bucks-scores-results/79428/milwaukee-vs-philadelphia-76ers-final-score-recap-jaime-jaquez-jr-joel-embiid) Turnovers were among the problems Milwaukee identified after the loss. Coach Taylor Jenkins said the team had competed and made progress but needed better execution in decisive moments. Those comments described the early-season effort; they did not change the Bucks' winless record entering Monday. [2](https://www.reuters.com/sports/basketball/winless-bucks-arent-panicking-ahead-matchup-with-pacers--flm-2026-10-26/) [3](https://www.brewhoop.com/bucks-scores-results/79428/milwaukee-vs-philadelphia-76ers-final-score-recap-jaime-jaquez-jr-joel-embiid) The game also renewed a familiar Central Division matchup. Milwaukee had won seven of its previous eight meetings with Indiana, including all four during the preceding season, Field Level Media reported. That record provided context for Monday's meeting but did not determine its result. [2](https://www.reuters.com/sports/basketball/winless-bucks-arent-panicking-ahead-matchup-with-pacers--flm-2026-10-26/) ## Pacers bring momentum and injury questions Indiana arrived with two wins in three games after beating Brooklyn 136-109 on Sunday. Tyrese Haliburton had 24 points and 10 assists in that victory, and the Pacers converted 21 of 43 attempts from three-point range. The New York Post reported that Indiana shot 57% overall against the Nets. [2](https://www.reuters.com/sports/basketball/winless-bucks-arent-panicking-ahead-matchup-with-pacers--flm-2026-10-26/) [4](https://nypost.com/2026/10/25/sports/nets-routed-by-pacers-in-ugly-home-loss/) The Brooklyn win also brought an injury concern: center Ivica Zubac sprained his left ankle and left the arena on crutches. Before Monday's game, coach Rick Carlisle said Zubac was unlikely to play but did not give a definitive return date. Indiana was also managing injuries to Ben Sheppard, T.J. McConnell and Johnny Furphy, according to Field Level Media. [2](https://www.reuters.com/sports/basketball/winless-bucks-arent-panicking-ahead-matchup-with-pacers--flm-2026-10-26/) Monday's result will determine whether Milwaukee's wait for its first win continues and whether Indiana can carry its strong start through consecutive road games. A complete account of the final score, leading performers and any game-day injury developments will depend on the finished game and subsequent reporting. [1](https://www.cbssports.com/nba/gametracker/live/NBA_20261026_IND%40MIL/) [2](https://www.reuters.com/sports/basketball/winless-bucks-arent-panicking-ahead-matchup-with-pacers--flm-2026-10-26/) ## Reporting sources 1. [CBS Sports: Indiana Pacers vs. Milwaukee Bucks live score and stats](https://www.cbssports.com/nba/gametracker/live/NBA_20261026_IND%40MIL/) (2026-10-26) 2. [Field Level Media via Reuters: Winless Bucks aren't panicking ahead of matchup with Pacers](https://www.reuters.com/sports/basketball/winless-bucks-arent-panicking-ahead-matchup-with-pacers--flm-2026-10-26/) (2026-10-26) 3. [Brew Hoop: Rapid Recap: 76ers 127, Bucks 116](https://www.brewhoop.com/bucks-scores-results/79428/milwaukee-vs-philadelphia-76ers-final-score-recap-jaime-jaquez-jr-joel-embiid) (2026-10-25) 4. [New York Post: Nets routed by Pacers in ugly home loss](https://nypost.com/2026/10/25/sports/nets-routed-by-pacers-in-ugly-home-loss/) (2026-10-25)