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Giannis scores 20 in preseason debut, Bucks lose to Lakers 107-102

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1 month ago

October 11, 2024

Giannis scores 20 in preseason debut, Bucks lose to Lakers 107-102

Giannis Antetokounmpo performed his first sport at Fiserv Discussion board since April and scored 20 factors in a single half of motion, however the Milwaukee Bucks fell to the Los Angeles Lakers, 107-102, Thursday evening at Fiserv Discussion board.

The Bucks (0-2) additionally acquired 23 factors off the bench from Bobby Portis Jr. as the highest six gamers solely appeared within the first half when the Bucks took a 58-52 lead into the break. Rookie AJ Johnson added 13 factors off the bench for Milwaukee.

Los Angeles (1-2) received its first sport below new head coach JJ Redick. Anthony Davis performed within the second half, scoring 11 factors on 5 of 14 capturing in 25 minutes. LeBron James scored 11 factors in 16 minutes.

“You do not get numerous video games the place it is their starters versus your starters and guys are taking part in laborious,” Bucks head coach Doc Rivers stated. “I assumed the sport was performed with some depth. That was good to see. I believe from each coaches, most likely very proud of that. What we name that; can be we acquired the preseason win with the starters and so they acquired the preseason win with the second group I assume.”

Listed here are some takeaways from the sport:

Giannis Antetokounmpo robust in return to Bucks

The Bucks star performed almost 20 first half minutes, scoring 20 factors on 10-of-18 capturing. He additionally pulled down seven rebounds and had two assists to go together with a spotlight chase down block of a LeBron James layup try within the second quarter.

“You might be you who’re and that is what makes him nice,” Rivers stated of Antetokounmpo’s effort on that block, which despatched him tumbling into the baseline crowd. “That is what makes all these gamers nice is they simply play. These guys do not give it some thought ‘trigger that is how they play.”

It was Antetokounmpo’s first sport in a Bucks uniform since April 9, when he suffered a pressure in his left soleus (calf) muscle that ended his season. He returned to play over the summer time for the Greek nationwide crew, main Greece to its first Olympic Video games since 2008.

BOX SCORE:Lakers 107, Bucks 102

Whereas Antetokounmpo had a few robust finishes across the rim, it was price noting how lively he was off the ball – notably operating laborious to the rim when Portis had the ball out on the wing. Portis was scorching on the time – he had made all 4 of his three-pointers to that time – and the Lakers closed robust on him. Portis put the ball on the ground and hit a reducing Antetokounmpo for a dunk.

Antetokounmpo additionally laid in a lob from Brook Lopez by being in place within the paint reverse the middle. Late within the second quarter he minimize laborious away from a defender off an inbound and acquired a simple dunk.

He didn’t play within the second half as the remainder of the starters additionally rested and didn’t converse to the media after the sport.

Bobby Portis lights it up

With Antetokounmpo again within the beginning lineup, Portis was the Bucks’ sixth man in relieving the two-time MVP. And he instantly made his influence recognized, scoring 20 factors in his first 10 minutes of motion. The moment offense was wanted, because the beginning 5 mixed to go 3-for-10 for 9 factors within the first quarter.

“I like how we play Bobby,” Rivers stated. “Like, he is aware of it coming in. Vinnie Johnson or whoever else you need to identify, the nice guys coming off the bench that ‘we will you.’ Be accountable with it. He made a pair good passes, too. However we would like him to be aggressive.”

Portis made his first three pictures earlier than lacking, after which promptly drained 4 extra to go 7 for 8 from the sector total. He additionally went 4 for 4 from behind the three-point line and assisted on a basket. The efficiency adopted up a 16-point evening in Detroit the place he made 4 of 5 three-pointers.

“I credit score my laborious work over the summer time,” Portis stated flatly. “An entire lot of naysayers speaking loopy on my identify. Each time I get on social media, each time I do one thing it is all the time any individual’s saying one thing about me.

“I credit score myself on working laborious each 12 months, getting higher. One factor I’ve finished my complete profession is simply proceed to get higher each 12 months it doesn’t matter what no one says. So, my greatest factor this summer time was to get within the gymnasium and simply work. I labored each (expletive) day of my life this summer time, like a mad man, bro.

“I simply need my work to indicate on the courtroom. So hopefully it simply interprets in preseason. However I am simply taking part in with confidence and going on the market and being who I’m. I put numerous work into my craft.”

Khris Middleton progressing after ankle surgical procedures

The Bucks all-star had surgical procedure on each ankles within the offseason however has been a restricted participant in practices up to now. Rivers stated he felt Middleton could possibly play within the Bucks’ ultimate two preseason video games (Oct. 14 vs. Chicago and Oct. 17 at Dallas), however that it was not a assure.

Rivers maintained that stance earlier than the Lakers sport however added that Middleton is advancing via phases of play.

“Simply three-on-three stuff, actually stay,” Rivers stated. “He is gonna do some four-on-four this week. Hopefully by the tip of the week he is scrimmaging.”

The Bucks host the Bulls on Monday.

Damian Lillard, Delon Wright hobbled vs. Lakers

Earlier than the sport, Bucks backup level guard Delon Wright was deemed unavailable after struggling a proper shoulder bruise in Wednesday’s apply.

Starter Damian Lillard then appeared to get his foot caught on the courtroom late within the first quarter on a drive-and-kick to Brook Lopez, together with his proper toe awkwardly sticking for a second. He got here up limping and subbed out shortly thereafter, sitting the ultimate 5 minutes of the primary quarter. Lillard was briefly checked on by athletic coach Scott Faust on the bench, however the all-star returned to play within the second quarter.

“I believe it was only a tweaked ankle,” Lillard stated. “Clearly if it was something extreme we would not have performed him however he needed to return in.”

Lillard’s evening was over at halftime with the remainder of the starters, scoring eight factors on 2-of-7 capturing. He was 3 for 3 from the free throw line and added 4 assists and 4 rebounds.

Three numbers

1 Technical fouls on LeBron James, incomes one with 9.1 seconds left within the first half after he didn’t get a whistle in touch as he drove in for a layup.
16 Three-point makes an attempt by the Bucks within the first half with the regulars in. With out Antetokounmpo within the preseason opener in opposition to Detroit, the crew was 9 for 14 within the first quarter alone and 4 for 13 within the second quarter when the regulars had been taking part in.
5:04 First quarter minutes for Bucks rookie AJ Johnson, as he subbed in for a momentarily hobbled Lillard. Johnson was spectacular in his second NBA sport, directing the offense with two assists on Portis three-pointers and a transition dunk off a Pat Connaughton steal. Johnson was regular and affected person with veterans round him, wanting higher than his frenetic debut in opposition to Detroit when he had three turnovers, three fouls and went 1 for 8 in about 18 minutes.

Extra:The Bucks’ Khris Middleton opens up on getting via his hardest 12 months and bouncing again

Waukesha native Liam Robbins ‘grateful’ for Bucks homecoming

It’s been a circuitous journey for Liam Robbins to return to Wisconsin, which made Thursday evening’s sport in Milwaukee a novel expertise for the 25-year-old middle.

Robbins was born in Waukesha and lived in Waterford till he was six years previous, turning into a Bucks, Wisconsin Badgers and Inexperienced Bay Packers fan.

“It’s dwelling, however it’s not dwelling on the similar time,” he stated Thursday.

His father, Mark, is from East Troy, however the Robbinses moved to Iowa be nearer his mom Bridget’s household. Liam stated no prolonged household stays in Wisconsin, however household made the drive from Iowa to see him play vs. the Lakers on Thursday.

It’s one he made together with his father and brother to the Bradley Heart to look at the Brandon Jennings and Monta Ellis-era Bucks.

“Earlier than the sport we’d go to Kopp’s for burgers, get that after which watch the sport and head again to Iowa after,” Robbins stated. “It was a doable drive. So, it’s form of bizarre. Grew up watching these video games and stuff and now I’m with them proper now. I’m undoubtedly very lucky to be doing this proper now.”

Furthering his Wisconsin ties, Robbins’ uncle Duffy Conroy was an assistant coach below Rob Jeter on the College of Wisconsin-Milwaukee for a decade.

After transferring to Iowa, Robbins started his prep profession at Assumption Excessive Faculty. After he re-classified, he completed highschool at Dawn Christian Academy in Kansas earlier than starting his school profession at Drake College. He then transferred to the College of Minnesota earlier than finally ending up at Vanderbilt College.

A proper leg fracture prematurely ended his marketing campaign at Vanderbilt in 2023, however he nonetheless was named the SEC’s Defensive Participant of the 12 months. He went undrafted that spring however signed on with the New Orleans Pelicans’ G League affiliate in Birmingham, Alabama. Sadly, his season ended early once more in January when there was a complication with the plate that was inserted from the surgical procedure.

“It took me longer to get well, however I’m totally again now,” Robbins stated. “I’ve no restrictions or something. I’m again, however it simply took a extremely very long time as a result of I wanted a second operation. However I’m good now. No points.”

Robbins, 25, signed with the Bucks on the finish of August to be a part of the coaching camp roster and he made his preseason debut in opposition to the Pistons on Oct. 6 and blocked three pictures.

“That was my first sport in like a 12 months and a half so to get again on the market, I undoubtedly had somewhat little bit of nerves getting again on the market,” he stated. “I used to be actually excited. Clearly not good by any means however simply to get again on the market and have the chance, simply very grateful and depend my blessings for certain.”

A day later the Wisconsin Herd swung a commerce to amass Robbins’ returning participant rights from Birmingham.

The Bucks presently have the utmost 15 assured participant contracts allowed, so it’s extremely unlikely Robbins will earn a roster spot out of camp. However, there may be now a chance for him to proceed his skilled profession in his native state.

“I’m excited only for the chance to be with the Milwaukee Bucks system,” Robbins stated. “Coach Beno (Udrih) is nice, attending to know him. The teammates I’ve met thus far are all nice dudes, so I’m excited for that and develop and see the place I can go. I’m getting again wholesome from an damage I had final 12 months so I’m simply excited for the chance to play once more.”

Did LeBron James come to Milwaukee?

Sure. He warmed up on the courtroom at Fiserv Discussion board roughly three hours earlier than tip-off and began vs. the Bucks. He performed 16 first half minutes, going 4-for-11 from the sector and scoring 11 factors. He additionally had six rebounds and 4 assists.

Jim Owczarski (@jimowczarski) on Threads

The league’s all-time scoring chief posted a social media message on Wednesday questioning why his crew needed to fly to Milwaukee for a preseason sport. James sat out the Lakers exhibition opener on Oct. 4 after which performed on Oct. 6, making NBA historical past by sharing the courtroom together with his son, LeBron “Bronny” James Jr.

Extra:Doc Rivers desires the Milwaukee Bucks to ‘learn to play.’ What does that imply?

Doc Rivers displays on teaching son Austin as Bronny James performs for Lakers

Bronny James Jr. checked in late within the third quarter to a pleasant ovation from the Fiserv Discussion board crowd. The rookie guard made his third preseason look for the Lakers, although he didn’t play together with his father, LeBron, who performed solely within the first half.

Bucks head coach Doc Rivers coached his son, Austin, with the Los Angeles Clippers from 2014-18. It was a historic second within the NBA as that had by no means occurred. One other of Rivers’ sons, Spencer, is presently an assistant coach for the Bucks this season. Doc was requested earlier than the sport if he ever might have imagined taking part in with one in every of his sons.

“No, I imply you must have endurance,” Doc Rivers stated. “It is simple – I assume it isn’t simple as a result of it (had) not been finished for a head coach to teach his son – it hasn’t been finished a lot. However for a participant to play together with his son, it is simply extraordinary simply because the older participant has to play a very long time. Both that or he has to have a child at 11. But it surely’s fairly extraordinary.”