MILWAUKEE – Damian Lillard wasted no time getting comfortable in his new colors.
The All-Star poured in 39 points in his first game in a Bucks uniform to lead Milwaukee to a 118-117 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers in their season opener.
This is the fourth best performance in NBA history for a player making his debut with a team.
Lillard also added eight rebounds along with four assists to cap off his first outing with the Bucks. Lillard was acquired by the Bucks in late September in a monster three-team trade with the Portland Trail Blazers and Phoenix Suns.
Dominant throughout the game, Lillard put the final nail in the Bucks’ coffin with the team’s final 11 points late in the fourth quarter.
He notably made two free throws with 11 seconds left in the game to give the Bucks a two-possession lead. Thus, a shot from downtown by De’Anthony Melton at the very end of the match was not enough for the 76ers to get back on track.
Giannis Antetokounmpo supported Lillard’s exploits with his double of 23 points and 13 rebounds. With 10 baskets in the match, Antetokounmpo took sole first place in Bucks history in this regard with 5,905 baskets. He surpassed Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s mark.
Brook Lopez added 13 points, while Bobby Portis chipped in with 10 points for the Bucks.
For the 76ers, it was former Raptors coach Nick Nurse’s first game at the helm of the team.
James Harden did not participate in the game since the 76ers did not allow him to accompany the team for the two-game trip.
Despite the defeat, the efforts of Tyrese Maxey will not go unmentioned, he who scored 31 points. Kelly Oubre Jr. did well with 27 points, Joel Embiid added 24 points and Tobias Harris chipped in with 20 points.
2023-10-26 20:29:00
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