Lillard scores 39 in Bucks debut to help Milwaukee edge 76ers
Damian Lillard scored 39 points in his first game with his new team and the Milwaukee Bucks regrouped after blowing a 19-point lead to open their season by beating the Philadelphia 76ers 118-117 on Thursday night.
The former Portland Trail Blazers star from Oakland set a record for the most points by a player in his Bucks debut. Terry Cummings scored 34 points in his first game for the Bucks in 1984.
Giannis Antetokounmpo added 23 points and 13 rebounds while shooting 10 of 22 from the floor to become the franchise's career leader in baskets. Antetokounmpo has 5,905 career field goals, while Kareem Abdul-Jabbar made 5,902 baskets with the Bucks from 1969-75.
Lillard put the Bucks ahead for good 105-104 by sinking a 3-pointer with 3:41 remaining.
His basket started an 11-0 run that gave Milwaukee a nine-point lead with 2:45 remaining. The 76ers scored seven straight points to get the margin down to two, but Lillard answered by sinking another 3-pointer with 1:13 left.
Tyrese Maxey scored 31, Kelly Oubre Jr. had 27 and Joel Embiid 24 for the 76ers.
HOWARD DENIES SEXUAL ASSAULT LAWSUIT >> Dwight Howard has denied accusations by a Georgia man who says he was sexually assaulted by the former NBA star and another person.
Stephen Harper filed a state civil lawsuit against
Howard in July, alleging assault and battery, false imprisonment and intentional infliction of emotional distress. No criminal charges have been filed against Howard.
In a response filed this week by his attorney, Howard described the 2021 encounter at his home in the Atlanta suburbs as consensual and requested that the case be dismissed.
MLB RAYS HOPE FINANCING FOR NEW PARK IS APPROVED >>
The Tampa Bay Rays are pushing for swift approval of a financing deal for a new 30,000-seat ballpark, part of a much larger $6 billion redevelopment project that includes affordable housing, a hotel, a Black history museum and many other items.
The St. Petersburg City Council got its first detailed public look at the ballpark financing plan, which will be shared by the city, Pinellas County, the Rays and their Hines company partner. Brian Auld, the team's co-president, said the goal is to obtain government approvals by March so that construction can stay on schedule for opening day of the 2028 season.
The new $1.3 billion ballpark would be located on the same 86-acre (34-hectare) tract of downtown land where Tropicana Field now sits. That domed stadium, which the Rays have called home since 1998, would be demolished. The deal announced last month would lock the Rays into their new home for at least 30 years, ending speculation of the team moving.
NHL PINTO SUSPENDED 41 GAMES FOR GAMBLING >>
The NHL suspended Ottawa Senators forward Shane Pinto for 41 games, making the 22-year-old American the first modern-day player banned for sports gambling.
The league said the halfseason ban was for “activities relating to sports wagering” and that its investigation found no evidence Pinto bet on NHL games.
“I want to apologize to the National Hockey League, the Ottawa Senators, my teammates, the fans and city of Ottawa and most importantly my family,” Pinto said in a statement released by the team. “I take full responsibility for my actions and look forward to getting back on the ice with my team.”
The league said it considers the matter closed and would have no further comment.
Coach D.J. Smith told reporters at the team's morning skate in New York that the Senators would help Pinto and welcome him back with open arms when he's eligible to return later this season.
Golf SUWANNAPURA LEADS LPGA TOURNAMENT >>
Jasmine Suwannapura of Thailand had seven birdies and an eagle for a 9-under 63 to take the first-round lead at the LPGA's Maybank Championship in Malaysia.
Australian Hannah Green, the 2019 PGA Championship winner, was a stroke behind after a 64.
Stanford's Rose Zhang was in a group of other players two strokes behind and tied for third after 65s.