Bucks Zone

GAME DAY PREVIEW AND INJURY REPORT: Milwaukee Bucks begin season vs. the Philadelphia 76ers

The revenge season starts for the Milwaukee Bucks.

Matthew Dugandzic

© Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
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The Milwaukee Bucks gun for an auspicious start when they host the Philadelphia Sixers for the season opener on Thursday night at the Fiserv Forum.

The Bucks have become the most intriguing team in the NBA after they acquired seven-time All-Star Damian Lillard, whose arrival forms a deadly duo with two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo.

Milwaukee lost heady playmaker Jrue Holiday in acquiring Lillard, but with Dame and Giannis, the Bucks now have two players who averaged 30 points a game last season.

Milwaukee was able to re-sign old reliable Khris Middleton and Brook Lopez, while Bobby Portis, MarJon Bueachamp, Jae Crowder, along with new recruits Cameron Payne and Malik Beasley, can also be counted on as the Bucks bid to bounce from a disappointing campaign last season.

Out for revenge

Milwaukee emerged as the number-one seed last season but stumbled in a devastating fashion on the big stage when they lost to the eighth-ranked Miami Heat in the first round of the playoffs.

The first-round exit resulted in a major shake-up as the Bucks fired coach Mike Budenholzer, who was then replaced by former NBA player Adrian Griffin.

Trouble in Philadelphia

Milwaukee is facing a Philadelphia team that is dealing with issues involving one of its superstars. James Harden has requested a trade, and skipped team practices.

Per Shams Charania of The Athletic, Harden returned to Philadelphia on Tuesday after a 10-day absence but was told not to travel with the team for the Bucks game and for their Saturday assignment against the Toronto Raptors.

The Sixers reached the Eastern Conference semis last season but squandered a 3-2 series lead against the Boston Celtics.

Injury report

All Milwaukee players will be available tonight, while James Harden is the only player out for the 76ers.

Bobby Portis Jr. will be available for the Milwaukee Bucks season opener

Published
Matthew Dugandzic
MATTHEW DUGANDZIC

Matthew finished his bachelor's degree in Economics (Management) at the University of Split and got his master's degree in the same field at the University of Zadar. Whether it is playing the game as an undersized 6'3'' power forward or simply watching it, Matthew can't get enough of it. After all, he has been an avid NBA fan since the 2000s. But don't get him wrong, as Matthew still loves the old-school NBA and is a true student of the game. From on-court moments to off-court stuff, whether it's about the stars of modern-day basketball or legends of the game, Matthew covers every category of the NBA world and basketball in general, as long as it makes for an engaging and exciting story.