Oct 14, 2024; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) and guard Damian Lillard (0) look on in the second quarter against the Chicago Bulls at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-Imagn Images

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Giannis Antetokounmpo, Damian Lillard heroics not enough to overcome Chicago Bulls

Antetokounmpo’s 38-point night overshadowed as Milwaukee’s supporting cast struggles in loss to Chicago.

Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard each posted big numbers Friday night.

But their combined 66 points were not enough to lift the Milwaukee Bucks, who fell 133-122 to the Chicago Bulls at Fiserv Forum. The Bucks struggled to find scoring support beyond their superstar duo in their home opener, allowing the Bulls to secure their first win of the season.

KNUCK IF YOU BUCK 👊 pic.twitter.com/p8k01XmvnG
— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) October 26, 2024

The Bucks’ offense stalled in the second half, with Giannis and Lillard accounting for nearly half of Milwaukee’s shots. Chicago’s defense disrupted Milwaukee’s rhythm, forcing the Bucks to rely on isolation plays, which minimized opportunities for their supporting cast. Secondary scorers like Brook Lopez and Gary Trent Jr. struggled to find consistency, with the Bucks shooting just under 50% from the field.

Milwaukee’s defensive issues compounded their offensive imbalance. The Bulls took full advantage of loose passes and turnovers, converting them into fast-break points and stretching their lead. Chicago out-hustled Milwaukee on the boards, leading to critical second-chance opportunities that widened the gap in the fourth quarter. The Bucks allowed 24 points off turnovers, enabling the Bulls to build an insurmountable lead late in the game.

With this loss, Milwaukee heads to New York with adjustments to make on both ends of the floor. The team will need to find ways to incorporate more players into the scoring mix and tighten up its defense to prevent similar breakdowns against the Brooklyn Nets.

Giannis Antetokounmpo’s 38-point game spoiled by Coby White and the Bulls

Antetokounmpo delivered an electric 38-point performance, featuring a commanding dunk over Nikola Vučevic in the first half, but Chicago found answers elsewhere. Coby White torched the Bucks with 35 points and led a balanced Chicago offense that saw all five starters reach double figures. The Bulls set the tempo and exposed defensive gaps that Milwaukee could not close.

GIANNIS WITH THE MEAN MUG AFTER THE POSTER 😤 pic.twitter.com/Dt4i9IDOmm
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) October 26, 2024

While Giannis Antetokounmpo dominated inside, his free-throw struggles stood out, going 8-for-16 from the line. Chicago capitalized on Milwaukee’s offensive lapses, extending their lead with key contributions from Zach LaVine and Vučevic. White’s assertiveness forced the Bucks to scramble, as he picked apart Milwaukee’s defense with spot-up threes and drives to the basket.

COBY WHITE TOOK OVER IN MILWAUKEE.

35 points.
7 threes.
6 boards.
5 assists.
4 steals.

The @chicagobulls get the road W 😤 pic.twitter.com/btqdEvWjBf
— NBA (@NBA) October 26, 2024

Despite cutting the lead to a single point early in the fourth, Milwaukee’s defense faltered when it mattered most. Offensive rebounds and forced turnovers led to multiple Bulls possessions and a momentum-shifting 10-0 run, which extended Chicago’s lead and dashed the Bucks’ comeback hopes.