Dame Time came to Milwaukee on Thursday as Damian Lillard stole the show in his Bucks debut.
He finished with 39 points, eight rebounds and four assists in a 118-117 win over the Philadelphia 76ers.
What. A. Debut.
— Milwaukee Bucks (@Bucks) October 27, 2023
: @paysbig pic.twitter.com/Skxwu6pdRP
He was only 4-of-12 from three, but included in those makes was an early four-point play and a late three to give Milwaukee a 116-111 lead.
Off-balanced.
— NBA (@NBA) October 27, 2023
Fouled.
...and Dame gets the 3⃣ to go somehow ♂️
Sixers/Bucks | Live on TNT | #KiaTipOff23 pic.twitter.com/SjUWSDPsUa
DAMIAN LILLARD ⌚️ pic.twitter.com/ChZu8UlwNZ
— Action Network (@ActionNetworkHQ) October 27, 2023
Per StatMuse, Lillard scored more points in his Bucks debut than any player in franchise history.
Damian Lillard Bucks debut:
— StatMuse (@statmuse) October 27, 2023
39 PTS
8 REB
0 TOV
17-17 FT
The most points ever in a Bucks debut. https://t.co/YxVqGYIn7i
Lillard spent his first 11 NBA seasons with the Trail Blazers and averaged a career-high 32.3 points per game last season. After initially requesting a trade to the Heat, the seven-time All-Star appears to be acclimating well to his surroundings in Milwaukee.
As ESPN's Kevin Pelton noted, the team uncharacteristically struggled when two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo was on the court, making Lillard's contributions even more significant.
Giannis Antetokounmpo's -13 plus-minus was his second worst in a Bucks win since his emergence as an MVP. Milwaukee was +13 with Damian Lillard on the court and Giannis on the bench.
— Kevin Pelton (@kpelton) October 27, 2023
Lillard gave Milwaukee exactly what it envisioned he would when it traded Jrue Holiday, Grayson Allen and future firsts as part of a three-team deal earlier this month.
Antetokounmpo didn't have to carry the Bucks against the Sixers. Like everyone else, he could step back and watch Lillard work.
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