Damian Lillard Scores 39 in Bucks Debut, Winning Game Against 76ers

Lillard and Antetokounmpo's powerful duo makes a promising start for the Bucks, hinting at a successful season amidst criticism over the team's defense.

Damian Lillard made a strong debut as a member of the Milwaukee Bucks scoring 39 points, including the team's final 11 points, to seal a 118-117 victory against the Philadelphia 76ers.
Lillard and Bucks' two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo combined to score 62 points on 42 field-goal attempts, showing immediate synergy and effectiveness as a team.
Antetokounmpo demonstrated his willingness to play a supporting role during key game moments by allowing Lillard to lead the endgame, signaling a high level of trust and cohesion in the team.
Despite Lillard's strong offensive debut, his defensive skills were called into question, highlighting potential areas for improvement as the Bucks traded away five-time All-Defense selection Jrue Holiday for Lillard.
ESPN's Jay Williams praised the dynamic new partnership of Antetokounmpo and Lillard, stating they have shown more compatibility and less redundancy after one game than the Boston Celtics duo Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown did in their seven-year career.