The Milwaukee Bucks opened their 2024 NBA season in dominant fashion, capitalizing on the absence of key Philadelphia 76ers players, Joel Embiid and Paul George, to cruise to a 124-109 victory. While the Philadelphia squad showed early promise, they struggled to keep pace with a full-strength Bucks team, led by new acquisition Damian Lillard and two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo. Meanwhile, the Phoenix Suns spoiled the debut of the Los Angeles Clippers’ Intuit Dome arena in a dramatic overtime thriller, edging out the Clippers 116-113.
Both games showcased the strength and potential of the league’s top teams, setting the tone for what is shaping up to be an exciting NBA season. Here’s a detailed breakdown of both matchups, as well as other key performances from the opening night of the 2024 NBA season.
Milwaukee Bucks vs. Philadelphia 76ers: Bucks Cruise Past Depleted 76ers
The Milwaukee Bucks entered their season opener against the Philadelphia 76ers with high expectations, and they certainly did not disappoint. The Bucks came into the matchup with all their key players healthy and ready to go, while the 76ers were without their biggest stars. Joel Embiid, the reigning MVP, sat out to manage his surgically repaired knee, and new signing Paul George, who was expected to make his debut for Philadelphia, also missed the game due to a preseason injury.
Despite the absence of their stars, the Sixers started strong, led by Tyrese Maxey, who played aggressively and made some big shots in the first quarter. Maxey’s early performance helped the Sixers take a slim one-point lead after the first 12 minutes of play. However, Milwaukee quickly found their rhythm as Damian Lillard took charge of the game.
Lillard, playing in his first game as a Buck, showcased why Milwaukee made the bold move to acquire him in the offseason. He led the team with 30 points, knocking down crucial shots from beyond the arc and driving to the rim with ease. His three-pointer midway through the second quarter gave Milwaukee a lead that they would not relinquish. By halftime, the Bucks had extended their lead to 58-47, and the 76ers struggled to close the gap in the second half.
Giannis Antetokounmpo also had an outstanding performance, contributing 25 points, 14 rebounds, and seven assists. The two-time MVP dominated both ends of the court, asserting his presence on defense and setting up his teammates for easy baskets. Taurean Prince and Bobby Portis added 16 points each to round out Milwaukee’s scoring.
The absence of Embiid and George was clearly felt by the 76ers, as they struggled to keep up with the Bucks’ offensive firepower. Maxey finished the game with 22 points, but Philadelphia lacked the depth and experience needed to mount a serious comeback. The Bucks’ defense clamped down in the second half, and Milwaukee ultimately secured a comfortable 124-109 win.
Phoenix Suns vs. Los Angeles Clippers: Suns Edge Out Clippers in Overtime Thriller
While the Bucks’ victory was relatively straightforward, the Phoenix Suns and Los Angeles Clippers delivered a nail-biting showdown in their season opener. The Clippers hosted the Suns in their new Intuit Dome arena, hoping to start the season with a victory in front of their home crowd. However, Phoenix had other plans.
Kevin Durant led the way for the Suns, scoring 25 points in a game that went down to the wire. Despite facing a star-studded Clippers roster, Phoenix battled hard throughout the game, forcing an overtime period after a back-and-forth fourth quarter. James Harden, who had a solid night for the Clippers, had a chance to send the game to a second overtime but missed a critical free throw with just four seconds left on the clock, sealing the Clippers’ fate.
The Suns took full advantage of the opportunity, using their experience and poise to outlast the Clippers in the extra period. Durant was supported by Devin Booker, who chipped in 22 points, and Bradley Beal, who added 19 points, showcasing the Suns’ formidable offensive lineup. The victory gave Phoenix an early-season confidence boost as they look to challenge for the top spot in the Western Conference.
KD & Beal lead the way in the @Suns opening-night OT road W #KiaTipOff24
KD: 25 PTS, 7 REB, 3 STL
Beal: 24 PTS, 4 3PM pic.twitter.com/e0vsP78B6Z— NBA (@NBA) October 24, 2024
For the Clippers, the loss was disappointing, especially after the energy and excitement of their new arena debut. Kawhi Leonard led the Clippers with 27 points, while Harden contributed 21 points and nine assists. Despite their efforts, the Clippers could not capitalize on their home-court advantage, and the missed free throw in overtime was a painful reminder of how slim the margins can be in the NBA.
Other Key NBA Opening Night Performances
Elsewhere in the league, the Atlanta Hawks kicked off their season with a 120-116 win over the Brooklyn Nets. Trae Young led the Hawks with 30 points and 12 assists, continuing his role as the team’s offensive catalyst. French rookie Zaccharie Risacher also made his debut for Atlanta, hitting a three-pointer on his first shot attempt and finishing with seven points.
For the Nets, Cam Thomas poured in a game-high 36 points, but it wasn’t enough to secure a victory for new coach Jordi Fernandez, who made his debut as Brooklyn’s head coach.
In Indiana, the Pacers mounted a late-game rally to overcome the Detroit Pistons 115-109. Bennedict Mathurin scored 14 of his 19 points in the fourth quarter to help Indiana outscore Detroit 33-19 in the final period. The Pacers’ comeback spoiled the debut of Detroit’s new coach J.B. Bickerstaff, who saw his team surrender an eight-point lead heading into the fourth quarter.
Meanwhile, the Golden State Warriors showcased their depth in a commanding 139-104 win over the Portland Trail Blazers. Buddy Hield led the Warriors with 22 points off the bench, while Steph Curry added 17 points in the team’s first game of the post-Klay Thompson era.
