The Bucks' new superstar tandem of Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard shared the court for the first time during the 2023 regular season on Thursday night during Milwaukee’s season opener against the 76ers.
They didn’t disappoint.
The Bucks edged out a one-point win over Philadelphia, during which both Lillard and Antetokounmpo took home a piece of franchise history.
Antetokounmpo’s eighth basket of the night saw him overtake Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s franchise record of 5,902 made field goals.
As for Lillard, his 39 points marked the most all-time for a Bucks player in their franchise debut. The former Trail Blazer scored 14 points in the fourth quarter and was a perfect 17-for-17 from the free-throw line in Thursday’s win. Lillard’s 17 consecutive made free throws in a single game also tied Antetokounmpo for the franchise record.
Milwaukee’s new duo combined for 64 points on the evening while shooting 19-of-42 from the field.
Lillard wasted no time making an impact for his new team, and after the game he discussed how he’s settling into his new surroundings.
“I came here to be a part of winning and I think I’ve started to settle in, just by how I’ve been embraced and what the team is saying to me behind closed doors,” Lillard said in his postgame press conference, via Lily Zhao of Fox 6.
The Lillard-Antetokounmpo tandem will be back on the floor on Sunday when the Bucks host the Hawks.
