Gary Trent Jr. made an instant impact in his first start of the series, dropping a playoff career-high 37 points in the Milwaukee Bucks' 117-101 Game 3 win over the Indiana Pacers.
The Bucks guard did most of his damage from downtown, knocking down nine threes to tie Ray Allen's single-game franchise playoff record.
"It's really a blessing, a testament to my hard work and everything that I put into it," Trent told reporters postgame, including ESPN's Jamal Collier. "A big fan of Ray Allen as a kid, I watched him accomplish great things as a Buck, as a Celtic, just followed his whole career, the way he shot the basketball.
"So, to be in that group, your name near him as a shooter, it's a great thing for me. It's a testament to just keep going and keep going."
Milwaukee's starters have struggled against the Pacers, except for Giannis Antetokounmpo. The Greek Freak was the only Bucks player in the first five to tally double digits in scoring in Game 1.
Antetokounmpo had more support in the next contest, but it wasn't enough to avoid going down 0-2 in the series.
Trent's offensive outburst was needed in Game 3. Brook Lopez went scoreless and Damian Lillard is still working his way back into game condition after missing one month due to a blood clot. The Duke product scored 18 points in the third quarter as the Bucks outscored the Pacers 39-18 in the frame and erased a 10-point halftime deficit.
Trent and Antetokounmpo are the first pair of Bucks players to each score at least 35 points in a postseason contest, per ESPN Research.
"It's almost like a fulfilling feeling," Trent said. "I put in a lot of work, a lot of time, a lot of hours. I sacrifice a lot of things going into this. But again, the cream always rises to the top and continue to keep working and it should showcase itself when the opportunity presents itself."
Milwaukee can tie the series at two games apiece with a win Sunday evening in Game 4.
