Damian Lillard was going at Tyrese Haliburton at the end of Game 1.

Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Milwaukee Bucks guard Damian Lillard before the game against the Phoenix Suns at Footprint Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Tempers flared toward the end of Game 1 between the Milwaukee Bucks and Indiana Pacers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on Saturday, as Damian Lillard and Tyrese Haliburton exchanged words.

Lillard and Haliburton were going at each other during a timeout in the fourth quarter, and leaked audio has now seemingly revealed what the former had to say to the latter.

Damian Lillard: “What you gonna do, n****? … We suck? We’re gonna see about that.”

Gary Trent Jr.: “You’re sweet.”

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Lillard: “You’re gonna see and I’ll beat your a**.”

Pascal Siakam: “Why is he talking? H*e a** n****.”

Tyrese Haliburton: “It’s time to get them the f*** outta here, bro.”

Lillard and Pascal Siakam were both issued technicals after this. Siakam wanted to know why someone who was inactive was opening his mouth, but it’s easy to understand why.

There has been some bad blood here ever since Haliburton did the “Dame Time” celebration when the teams met in the semifinals of the In-Season Tournament in 2023. After the game, Lillard told Haliburton to stay humble, and there has been some tension between the two ever since.

Lillard would have also been quite frustrated seeing the Bucks get blown out here. They were down by as many as 28 points and ended up losing 117-98. Lillard, who last played a game on March 18 due to deep vein thrombosis, is itching to get back on the court, and we could see him finally return in Game 2 or 3.

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The Bucks certainly could do with having Lillard, who averaged 24.9 points, 4.7 rebounds, 7.1 assists, 1.2 steals, and 0.2 blocks per game in 2024-25, back as soon as possible, as they struggled mightily on offense in Game 1. They shot just 41.7% (35-84) from the field and 9-37 (24.3%) from beyond the arc to get blown out.

The Pacers, meanwhile, were rolling on offense thanks to Haliburton. The two-time All-Star recorded 10 points (3-13 FG), seven rebounds, and 12 assists against the Bucks while committing just one turnover.

The shots weren’t falling for Haliburton, but he still managed to have a positive impact with some exceptional playmaking.

Haliburton and the Pacers took care of business in style in Game 1, but they know that they just held serve here. They’ll be keen on retaining homecourt advantage and taking a 2-0 lead when the teams meet again at Gainbridge Fieldhouse for Game 2 on Tuesday at 7 PM ET.