The Milwaukee Bucks pairing of former Trail Blazers star Damian Lillard and two-time NBA MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo created championship vibes.

That all ended Thursday night when the Bucks were eliminated from the playoffs following a 120-98 loss at the Indiana Pacers in Game 6 of their first-round series. The Bucks fell 4-2 with their dynamic duo never appearing in a playoff game together.

“It’s very disappointing,” Lillard told reporters following the game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. “But it’s part of the game. It happens … You can do as much training, you can do all the things that you want to do, but you can’t control when a random play might happen.”

Antetokounmpo injured his calf during a regular season game on April 9 leading to him missing the playoffs. Lillard strained an Achilles in Game 3 and then subsequently missed Game 4 and Game 5 before returning for Game 6.

Lillard scored 28 points in the final game but clearly was not 100% healthy.

This is not what Lillard envisioned when he demanded that the Portland Trail Blazers trade him to a contender after failing to build around him.

Nevertheless, the early exit from the playoffs did not dampen Lillard’s enthusiasm about his future with the Bucks.

“I’m extremely excited,” Lillard said.

“It’s been some hard times. I haven’t denied that one time this year.

“Basketball and personally, it’s been some hard times. But it’s never been an issue with Milwaukee. I get the opportunity to play with Giannis. I’m playing with veteran players. I know that the only thing we’re playing for is an opportunity to win the championship. And that’s why I made the decision to be a part of something like this.”

That decision came with sacrifice. Lillard’s entire family lives in Portland.

Being away from them and alone in Milwaukee hasn’t been easy.

“I think it was a roller coaster of a year,” Lillard said. “But I think for me personally, it was a year of growth more than anything. My first time being a part of a different organization than the Trail Blazers after 11 years. Picking up my life and being away from my family and away from my kids. Being traded so late into the summer. Playing for multiple coaches. Trying to find myself within a new dynamic, a new team, a new organization. Playing with another superstar player, another great player in (Khris Middleton). So, just trying to find my space within that with everything else happening all at the same time, I think it was a lot for me to fight through.”

Lillard added that he felt he handled the situation well and was pleased with the way he played even though most of his statistics took a dip. Now he looks forward to having an entire offseason with the Bucks and coach Doc Rivers.

“When I look at my performance, I know that I could have done a lot of things better,” Lillard said. “And I know that I’m going to have a full season of knowing who the coach is I’m gonna be playing for. Having a better idea of the guys that I’m gonna be playing with. Being in Milwaukee. I’ve kind of settled into things here.”

Rivers took over for Adrian Griffin on Jan. 26. That transition proved bumpy but Lillard said he enjoys Rivers’ coaching style.

“He’s not afraid to say what the truth is regardless of who might be offended by it,” Lillard said.

With a cast of veterans and stars, Lillard said, Rivers’ style fits the Bucks. “You need someone that’s going to be willing to challenge them and deal with whatever comes back,” Lillard said. “And I think because of who he is, his experience, he’s the person for that.”

The offseason, Lillard said, will provide him a chance to work with Rivers in preparation for next season. Also, he can get more court time with Antetokounmpo and Middleton. Injuries limited the trio to making just 42 appearances together. The Bucks went 28-14 in those games.

“I do think it’s important for us to be able to be on the floor more together,” Lillard said. “And we just weren’t able to do that this season.”