Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo dunks the ball against the Indiana Pacers during the second half Thursday in Milwaukee. (AP photo)

MILWAUKEE — Andrew Nembhard scored 24 points and Aaron Nesmith hit six 3-pointers and finished with 22 points as the Indiana Pacers rallied late and beat the Central Division- and Eastern Conference-leading Milwaukee Bucks 139-123 Thursday night.

Indiana (32-38) shot 22 for 46 from 3-point distance, including 13 of 19 in the second half, and shot 56.5% overall despite playing without All-Star point guard Tyrese Haliburton (ankle), as well as guards Kendall Brown, Chris Duarte and Trevelin Queen.

The absences didn’t seem to matter as Indiana had seven players score in double-figures. Buddy Hield scored 20 and T.J. McConnell 19, while George HIll and Jordan Nwora added 15 and 12, respectively, against their former team.

“There was a good togetherness about us in the second half,” Nembhard said. “We put up a good fight, and showed good aggression. It was like we had nothing to lose in this moment. It was good for the team to do that and a big win for us.”

Giannis Antetokounmpo led the Bucks with 25 points. Jrue Holiday added 19 and Khris Middleton finished with 16 for Milwaukee (50-20), which shot 52.8%, went 11 for 32 from beyond the arc and gave up 13 points off 12 turnovers.

Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) spins around Phoenix Suns forward Jae Crowder (99) during the first half of Game 2 of basketball's NBA Finals, Thursday, July 8, 2021, in Phoenix. The Suns defeated the Bucks 118-108. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

The Bucks hit 18 of their first 29 shots, including 4 of 9 from 3-point distance to take a 40-30 lead after one period.

“They played well tonight, particularly in the second half.,” Bucks coach Mike Budenholzer said. “They made a lot of 3s, got out in transition. There were a lot of areas where we needed to be better, but a ton of credit to the Pacers tonight.

Nesmith’s sixth 3-pointer of the game made it a 122-111 game with 7:08 left and the Pacers never looked back.

“It was not a great first half but that was really a special second half,” Carlisle said. “Just in terms of understanding how we needed to play and what it would take to have a chance to get a win here.

“This was our franchise’s first-ever win in this building so to have an opportunity to break through with some of our younger players was special. It was a great win.”

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TIP-INS

Pacers: Thursday was supposed to be a homecoming of sorts for Haliburton, who grew up just north of Milwaukee in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. But he was unavailable and will miss at least two more games after suffering an ankle injury at practice Wednesday. Haliburton also missed Indiana’s last two games because of a knee injury.

Bucks: Antetokounmpo appeared in his 711th career game for the Bucks, trying him with Junior Bridgeman (1975-84) for the most appearances in franchise history. … Center Brook Lopez was held out after injuring his ankle Tuesday night at Phoenix, while guard Grayson Allen missed his second straight game because of right plantar fascia soreness. … With Lopez out, Bobby Portis made his 19th start of the season.

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UP NEXT

Pacers: Host Philadelphia to

Bucks: Host Toronto on Sunday.

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