Milwaukee Bucks guard downplays budding on-court beef with Tyrese Haliburton

The Milwaukee Bucks secured their first victory of the 2026-27 season with a 110-102 win against the Indiana Pacers on Monday. For the first time in four attempts, they capitalized on defensive stops in the final frame. Ryan Rollins emerged as a standout player, contributing 19 points and four assists in 32 minutes as a starter.

Earlier in the season, tensions arose between Rollins and Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton due to a preseason incident where Haliburton called Rollins a derogatory term after Rollins shoved him following a miss by teammate Tyler Herro. However, Rollins downplayed the ongoing banter between the two guards, stating that basketball is a team sport and the rivalry should not be taken too personally.

"It's a five-on-five game, so it's just continuing to play the right way," Rollins said. "If an opportunity presents itself where I can go back at him, then I will do it. But if not, I’m gonna try to play in the flow of the game." Despite their rivalry, Rollins remains optimistic about the Bucks' chances against the undefeated Houston Rockets, who have struggled to maintain their winning streak.