Damian Lillard scored 30 points and Giannis Antetokounmpo contributed 25 as the Milwaukee Bucks defeated the Philadelphia 76ers 124-109 in their season opener on Wednesday night.
Lillard showcased his skills, netting 15 points in the third quarter while finishing the game with six 3-pointers, nine rebounds, and five assists. Antetokounmpo had an efficient night, shooting 8 for 11 from the field and also securing a game-high 14 rebounds. Milwaukee’s strong performance was highlighted by double-figure contributions from six players, including Taurean Prince and Bobby Portis, who each scored 16 points. The Bucks demonstrated their sharpshooting prowess with a total of 16 3-pointers made.
For Philadelphia, Tyrese Maxey led the scoring with 25 points, while Andre Drummond added 13 points and 11 rebounds. The team was hampered by the absence of injured stars Joel Embiid and Paul George, both of whom are sidelined with knee injuries.
In terms of key takeaways, the Bucks frequently utilized a pick and roll strategy with Lillard and Brook Lopez, who set picks as far as half court, giving Lillard ample time and space to create offense. Meanwhile, Guerschon Yabusele made his NBA return after playing internationally for five seasons, adding 10 points, four rebounds, three assists, and three steals in 25 minutes for the 76ers.
A significant moment in the game occurred when the Bucks engineered a 25-12 run over a six-minute stretch in the second quarter. Bobby Portis played a crucial role during this surge, executing a block, securing a defensive rebound, assisting Prince on a layup, making a steal, and scoring on a fast break layup.
In a notable achievement, Lillard and Antetokounmpo became the first pair of teammates in Bucks history to both accumulate at least 25 points, five rebounds, and five assists in a season opener.
Looking ahead, the Bucks will have their home opener against the Chicago Bulls on Friday, while the 76ers are set to face the Toronto Raptors on the same night.