2023-10-27 03:49:05
MILWAUKEE (AP) — Damian Lillard scored 39 points in his first game with his new team, and the Milwaukee Bucks rallied following blowing a 19-point lead to start the season by beating the Philadelphia 76ers 118-117 on Thursday.
Lillard, former Portland Trail Blazers star, set a record with the most points scored by a player in his debut with the Bucks. Terry Cummings scored 34 points in his first game with Milwaukee in 1984.
Giannis Antetokounmpo added 23 points and 13 rebounds, shooting 10 of 22 from the field to become the franchise leader in shooting. The Greek has 5,005 field goals, while Kareem Abdul-Jabbar made 5,902 with the Bucks from 1969 to 1975.
Lillard finally gave the Bucks the lead, 105-104, by sinking a triple with 3:41 minutes left. Antetokounmpo grabbed an offensive rebound following missing a shot, and found Lillard unmarked behind the arc.
His basket launched an 11-0 run that gave Milwaukee a nine-point lead with 2:45 remaining.
Tobias Harris hit a three-pointer to reduce the lead to two points. Lillard drove to the basket, was fouled and secured the victory with two free throws with 11.5 seconds left before the buzzer.
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