Watch as Milwaukee Bucks rookie Damian Lillard ushers in ‘Dame Time’ by scoring an electrifying 39 points during a record-setting first game with the team.
When Damian Lillard first joined the Milwaukee Bucks, Giannis Antetokounmpo shared some advice with him. Lillard later recalled those words.
Lillard told reporters on Thursday night, “I’m going to do what I do, while I want you to did what you do,” as he continued his routine. “You bring an end to games.” Cue It’s “Dame Time.”
When the Milwaukee Bucks acquired Lillard from the Trail Blazers in a blockbuster trade a month ago, the expectation was for him to fulfill the role for which he was acquired.
On Thursday night, the guard led the Bucks to a 118-117 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers, setting a team mark for the most points scored in a debut with 39 points.
Of those points, 14 came in the game’s closing four minutes, helping the Bucks secure the victory.
“I’ve had enough conversations via guys, especially with Giannis, and I came in knowing what was required of me,” Lillard said after the game. “I’ve had enough talks with guys, particularly with Giannis.”
They are urging me to act as the person who takes charge of the situation, make decisions, or decide what is going to take place at those moments.
On his first game with his new team, the Milwaukee Bucks, NBA great guard Damian Lillard had a sensational outing, scoring 39 points and helping to propel the team to a 118-117 victory at home against the Philadelphia 76ers on Saturday.
In the first game of the season for both teams, the 33-year-old American player, who had been acquired in a trade from Portland the previous month, made the best scoring debut in the history of the Bucks franchise.
In front of an ecstatic crowd in Milwaukee, Lillard racked up a triple-double by sinking all 17 of the free throws, making 9 of 20 shots from the field (including 4 of 12 from 3-point range), and pulling down 8 rebounds while also dishing out 4 assists.
Guard Damian Lillard, a seven-time NBA All-Star, scored 14 points for the Bucks in the last four minutes of the game to lift them to victory over the tenacious Sixers, who fought to the very end.
The final score was still a loss for the Sixers, despite the fact that De’Anthony Melton made a 3-pointer right before the buzzer.
Giannis Antetokounmpo grabbed a game-high 13 rebounds to go along with his 23 points to lead the Bucks to victory.
This was Antetokounmpo’s first game playing alongside Mccollum as an inside-outside double threat.
For the Sixers, Tyrese Maxey had 31 points, Kelly Oubre contributed 27 points off the bench, and Joel Embiid, the current NBA Most Valuable Player, had 24 points.
However, the Sixers were missing star guard James Harden since he decided to leave the trip group due to worries about his conditioning.
Antetokounmpo, a two-time NBA Most Valuable Player, and Lillard connected on early buckets, which is a great indicator for their ability to work together.
On Monday, Antetokounmpo extended his deal with the Bucks by signing a three-year extension worth $186 million.
During the Bucks’ 19-2 run, Lillard scored nine points by making a 3-pointer with a 3-point play, giving the team a lead of 113-104.
The Sixers responded by going on a 7-0 run, however Lillard was able to seal the deal by sinking a spectacular 3-pointer above Oubre and then adding two critical free throws just 11.1 seconds left on the clock.
Lillard finished the first half of the game with 21 points, making his initial basket for the Bucks in a jump shot wih 3:57 left on the clock.
As a result of his scoring 17 points in the second period, Milwaukee took a 63-54 lead into the half.
On Thursday night, it was certainly “Dame Time,” as Lillard scored 39 points to lead the Milwaukee Bucks to a victory over the 76ers of Philadelphia in a game that ended with a score of 118-117.
Along with chipping in eight rebounds & four assists, he also established a new record for the most points scored in a debut by a player for the franchise. He scored 14 of the their final sixteen points down the stretch.
The crowd at Fiserv Forum was energized as Damian Lillard finished the show with a sequence of clutch buckets as well as free throws because it was Milwaukee’s first opportunity to see the actual Damian Lillard experience.
Cameron Payne described the competition as “tough, man; he was hooping.” “That whole thing was nuts; we really haven’t had a chance to see the Dame yet.
Because he became trapped throughout the preseason, that was the first time any of us on our squad witnessed him acting irrationally.
That wasn’t something that was shown to any of us. On the other hand, he really put up a show tonight. I have no doubt that he will continue in that vein. The young man presented an attractive appearance.”
Lillard’s offensive performance from the field got started to a sluggish start, as he missed four of his initial five shots. Despite this, it was clear that he had an impact.
The additional attention that the Sixers were required to pay to him opened up possibilities and passageways for his teammates.
Chris Livingston instructed his team to “pick him up shortly after he passes halfcourt,” which translates to “they have to get him right away.” “That’s going to accomplish a lot of good for our offense.”