Scoreboard
Bucks 119, 76ers 117
Lakers 100, Suns 95
What went down
Two games were on hand on Friday and the stars came out to play. Damian Lillard lived up to the excitement of his very first game in Milwaukee by scoring 39 points and getting the win. Giannis Antetokounmpo was right behind with 23 points and 13 rebounds.
The Bucks were able to get the win against the Sixers who were without star guard James Harden. Tyrese Maxey anchored the Philly offense with 31 points and eight assists while reigning MVP Joel Embiid had 24 points, seven boards, and six dimes. Newcomer Kelly Oubre added 27 points on 9-for-11 shooting.
In Los Angeles, LeBron James took matters into his own hands down the stretch to lead the Lakers past the Suns. The King scored 10 of his 21 points in the fourth, including clutch layups to help his squad create separation. Anthony Davis bounced back from his previous outing to submit an all-around performance of 30 points (13 in the fourth), 12 rebounds, three steals, and three blocks.
LEBRON JAMES. YEAR 21.
— NBA (@NBA) October 27, 2023
GET TO TNT FOR THE END! pic.twitter.com/DQnxUMdxcU
Kevin Durant was the lone superstar for Phoenix as both Devin Booker and Bradley Beal sat out and had 39 points and 11 rebounds in the loss. KD moved up to 12th on the NBA’s scoring list, moving ahead of Hakeem Olajuwon.
Big-time baller
Damian Lillard had a memorable debut as a Milwaukee Buck. His full stat line was 39 points, four triples, 17-for-17 from the line, eight rebounds, and four assists. It was the most points scored by a debuting Buck, surpassing Terry Cumming’s 34 points in 1984.
To top it all off, he also knocked down a signature clutch 3-pointer. Dame Time has truly arrived in Milwaukee.
ARE YOU KIDDING ME, DAMIAN LILLARD?!
— NBA (@NBA) October 27, 2023
He's got 37 in his debut 🤯 pic.twitter.com/TS44KR2MOz
What he said
Giannis was in awe watching Dame go to work.
"I think he was unbelievable today... says a lot about him, a lot about his character."
— NBA (@NBA) October 27, 2023
Giannis has high praise for Dame after watching his debut 👀 pic.twitter.com/iRQ2Hpqo4n
Did you see that?
Besides Dame’s stunning Bucks debut and LeBron’s clutch fourth quarter, there was also something else worth celebrating. Milwaukee coach Adrian Griffin celebrated his first-ever win as an NBA head coach. Griffin spent the last five seasons in Toronto as an assistant for Nick Nurse, whom he beat in his first game.
In the locker room, Giannis gave his coach the game ball.
Giannis gave the game ball back to Griff. 🥹
— Milwaukee Bucks (@Bucks) October 27, 2023
Congrats on the first win as head coach! pic.twitter.com/EwoaYkn1tD
Extra Pass
After a win on Ring Night, the Denver Nuggets head to Memphis for their first road game of the season. Two-time MVP Nikola Jokic is already off to a blazing start after tallying a 29-point, 13-rebound, 11-assist triple-double against the Lakers. If he wants to, the Joker can fool around and actually average a triple-double this year. Jokic is the best in the game and everyone in the league will do their best to try to slow down the Serbian savant.
Despite the Grizzlies still being contenders in the West, they are missing key guys. Star Ja Morant is still serving his 25-game suspension and it was reported that big man Steven Adams will undergo a season-ending knee surgery. Add the departure of Dillon Brooks, that’s three starters from last year missing for Memphis. But there is still a lot of buzz in Memphis and newly acquired Marcus Smart made his impact in his first game by pouring 17 points. Desmond Bane, another rising star, fired 31 points, but the Grizzlies lost to New Orleans.
Morant is still out but there’s still a lot of star power from both squads. Catch the Nuggets and the Grizzlies, tomorrow at 7:00 AM on NBA TV Philippines.
