Damian Lillard debuts with 39 points, closes out Bucks' win - ESPN

MILWAUKEE — Ever since the Bucks acquired Damian Lillard in a blockbuster trade one month ago, they have encouraged their newest superstar to be himself on the floor, urging him especially to take control late in games.

So, Lillard's Bucks debut Thursday night played out exactly as the team had envisioned. He scored 39 points — a record for points in a first game with the franchise — including the team's final 11 points in the fourth quarter to help Milwaukee seal a 118-117 season-opening victory over the Philadelphia 76ers.

«I've had enough conversations with guys, especially with Giannis [Antetokounmpo], that I came in knowing what was expected of me,» Lillard said after the game. «They're encouraging me to be the person to take control, make decisions and decide what's going to happen in those moments.»

Milwaukee trailed 104-102 with four minutes remaining when Lillard took over. He scored 14 points over the final four minutes, nearly matching the Sixers' output (15 points) by himself.

Lillard put the game all but out of reach with a 30-foot step-back 3-pointer over Kelly Oubre Jr. with 1:13 remaining, icing the game in his signature fashion.

«That's a look that I'll take seven days a week,» Lillard said. «That was a comfort shot.»

«At the end of the day, he had the hot hand and you've got to keep on feeding it. You've got to keep going with what works,» said Antetokounmpo, who finished with 23 points and 13 rebounds.

«A guy that can make plays down the stretch. A guy that's going to lead the team. A guy that's going to make shots, put us in the right position. A guy that's going to be aggressive throughout the whole game, create for himself. He was unbelievable today.»

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