The entire landscape of the NBA changed when the Milwaukee Bucks landed superstar point guard Damian Lillard in a trade ahead of training camp. While it cost them a key member of their core in Jrue Holiday to get the deal done, the opening night of the 2023-24 NBA season showed why the franchise deemed that a willing sacrifice to make.
The Bucks hosted the Philadelphia 76ers in what was a competitive game right down to the wire. The 76ers dug themselves into a deep hole early on but were able to climb back into it, taking a lead in the fourth quarter. But, Lillard was not about to let them spoil his Milwaukee debut.
He was a catalyst in the Bucks holding off the 76ers near the end of the game. A 3-pointer from Lillard started an 11-0 run, which Milwaukee used to regain and establish a nine-point lead with 2:45 remaining. Philadelphia didn’t go away easily, but each time they got close, Lillard was there to keep them at bay.
With 1:13 remaining in the game, he sank another 3-pointer to push the lead back to five. After Tobias Harris answered with a 3-pointer of his own, Lillard came down and drove to the basket, drawing a foul and sinking both free throws.
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While it was the home fans cheering, Lillard admitted that it would take some getting used to. After spending the first 11 seasons of his career with the Portland Trail Blazers, he felt like a visitor on his new home court.
“It was definitely different,” Lillard said. “I think I’ve been in an environment where I come in the arena and know everybody that works in the arena. When I get on the court, I look around and I even recognize the fans that have been there year after year after year. It’s just a super, super familiar environment that I’d been in.
“And when I come here, it kind of feels like a road game right now. It’s like I’m looking around like I’m the new guy, even though I’ve been in this league a long time. … I came in 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.”
Winning, at least for one night, is exactly what he did. He was a big reason for the victory, pouring in 39 points, which ended up being a franchise record. That is the most points scored by a Bucks player in their debut, surpassing the 34 points Terry Cummings had in 1984.
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Buoying that scoring output was a perfect 17-for-17 from the foul line. Lillard added eight rebounds and four assists for a solid all-around stat line, not turning the ball over once either. His new sidekick, Giannis Antetokounmpo, scored 23 points with 13 rebounds, three assists, two steals and two blocks.
While Lillard has admitted that he won’t have the defensive impact that Holiday did, his presence raises the ceiling of this team. His ability to handle the offensive load and score from literally anywhere once he steps over halfcourt makes the Bucks an even more dangerous team.
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