Damian Lillard scored 30 points while leading the Milwaukee Bucks to a 124-109 road win over the Philadelphia 76ers on Wednesday night in the season opener for both teams. Giannis Antetokounmpo contributed 25 points on 8-of-11 shooting to go along with 14 rebounds and seven assists for Milwaukee.

The Bucks’ biggest challenge this season will be regaining the defensive edge they had under Mike Budenholzer, who was fired after a shocking first-round playoff exit to the Miami Heat. Budenholzer led the Bucks to a 58-24 regular-season record and finished fourth in defensive efficiency (110.9 points allowed per 100 possessions).

A pair of Eastern Conference contenders open the 2024-25 regular season on Wednesday night.  The Milwaukee Bucks — last season’s No. 3 seed — will be without Kh