Damian Lillard debuts with 39 points, leads Milwaukee Bucks to victory over Philadelphia 76ers.

Damian Lillard scored 39 points and grabbed eight rebounds to lead the Milwaukee Bucks to a 118-117 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers on Thursday in both teams' season opener.

Lillard made all 17 free-throw attempts and had four assists in his first game since being acquired from the Portland Trail Blazers in a three-team trade on Sept. 27.

Giannis Antetokounmpo finished with 23 points and 13 rebounds while overcoming foul trouble. Brook Lopez added 13 points for the Bucks, who shot 50 percent from the field (41 of 82) to hand Adrian Griffin his first victory as head coach.

Tyrese Maxey had 31 points and eight assists for Philadephia, and Kelly Oubre Jr. added 27 points off the bench. Reigning NBA MVP Joel Embiid had 24 points, seven rebounds, and six assists, and Tobias Harris had 20 points in Nick Nurse's first game as head coach.

Ten-time All-Star James Harden did not travel with the 76ers to Milwaukee after returning from a 10-day absence due to a personal matter, according to the team.

Philadelphia cut a 19-point deficit to 94-93 with a short jumper and a 3-pointer from Harris early in the fourth quarter. Maxey added a pair of free throws for the 76ers' first lead since 5-3, and Oubre followed with a 3-pointer before his steal led to a dunk.

Philadelphia scored 14 straight points to take a 102-94 lead, but Milwaukee responded by scoring 19 of the next 21 points.

Maxey capped the 14-0 run with a pair of free throws, but Lopez and Jae Crowder each made a 3-pointer and Antetokounmpo hit a short hook to tie the game at 102-102.

Lillard drained a 3-pointer, hit three consecutive free throws, and converted a three-point play to highlight the Bucks' run and give them a 113-104 lead with 2:45 remaining.

With 1:29 remaining, Maxey hit a 3-pointer and Embiid added a pair of mid-range jumpers to cut the 76ers' deficit to two points. Lillard and Harris each hit a 3-pointer before the former hit a pair of free throws to put Milwaukee up 118-114 with 11.1 seconds remaining.

De'Anthony Melton hit a 3-pointer as time expired to round out the scoring.

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