The Milwaukee Bucks (1-0) hosted the Philadelphia 76ers (0-1) in prime time to begin their 2023–24 campaign. The James Harden situation continued to be dramatic as the Sixers rallied from an early disadvantage but were unable to complete the victory, falling 118-117.

Let’s analyze the Sixers’ matchup with the Bucks to start the season.

Joel Embiid of the Sixers recorded 24 points, 7 rebounds, 6 assists, 7 turnovers, and 9–21 field goal shooting.

As is always the case with the big man, Embiid was still breaking through the early season rust after playing just one preseason game.

Even when he was at the free-throw line, where he shot terribly, the big man struggled to get position down low. He made sure to throw in a couple of stupid mistakes, but in the latter part of the second quarter, he found a shooting groove that he maintained throughout the second half.

On defense, he heeded Nurse’s instruction to get swings at blocks, which made the Bucks players attempt more daring attempts around the rim that fell short. He left his imprint even if he had no blocks to show for it.

Tyrese Maxey: 10–22 field goal shooting, 4 rebounds, 7 assists, 2 steals, and 31 points

Maxey has been developed by the Sixers into a player who can handle the pressure of being an offensive playmaker. Following an unfavorable beginning, he appeared to be at ease and a focal point. He gives off the impression that he is a natural lead initiator because of his quickness in the open court and capacity to outmuscle his opponent in the half court. He tied his career-high in free throw attempts, demonstrating the effectiveness of his aggressiveness.

Kelly Oubre Jr.: 9–11 FG shooting, 4 rebounds, 0 assists, and 27 points

With an extremely productive night, Oubre provided the microwave scoring that Sixers supporters had anticipated from him, helping the game to remain close. But he’ll get regular playing time because to his defense. Nurse trusted him to watch over Damian Lillard during critical moments. Imagine learning that just one month prior to the start of the season, when he was selected for a veteran minimum.

Giannis Antetokounmpo of the Bucks finished with 23 points, 13 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 blocks, 2 steals, and a 10–22 field goal percentage.

As usual, Antetokounmpo outclassed his opponents with his size. The Bucks star made a lot of statements, one of which was guarding the best player on the other team—a move that Mike Budenholzer was not always willing to take. As the game progressed, he matched up with Embiid more and physically defeated him. Despite a decline in shooting efficiency throughout the fourth quarter, the Greek Freak was ready to go.

Damian Lillard: 9–20 FG shooting, 8 rebounds, 4 assists, and 39 points

With 17 points in the second quarter, the Bucks’ newest star began to show signs of life and kept up his performance towards the end of the game. While his outside shooting wasn’t spectacular tonight, he was excellent from the free throw line and skillfully dribbled his way into points. He will undoubtedly prove to be a better offensive player than Jrue Holiday, but defense is a very different story. The Bucks will need to figure out how to have considerably less resistance up top.

It must be nice to have Dame Time as a backup, though.

Brief summary of the match:

Naturally, the Sixers began De’Anthony Melton in place of Harden, along with Maxey, Embiid, Tobias Harris, and P.J. Tucker. Milwaukee’s star combination was surrounded by Khris Middleton, Brook Lopez, and Malik Beasley. Middleton was given an unidentified minute restriction.

The Sixers offense got off to a chilly start. While Melton and Maxey both missed their opening two attempts, Embiid hurriedly took a few glances, the process and shot selection were largely sound, with nearly all of the shots coming from deep or around the rim. The Sixers were extremely vigilant defensively as Lillard threaded screens and Antetokounmpo cut to the basket. Giannis kept up the pressure and attracted attention inside, not letting Tucker’s defensive play resemble a trunk.

Maxey and Tucker were replaced by Kelly Oubre Jr. and Danny Green, the first Philadelphia substitutes. Although Maxey receiving two fouls made the decision simpler, the nurse made the sensible choice to stagger Maxey and Embiid’s minutes. His decision to stagger his stars later on suggests that he may not always look to do so.

Green made some deft defensive rotations and fed Oubre for a corner triple as Oubre made his first three shots. After a while, the Sixers’ ball movement appeared more deliberate, continuing to dribble around the perimeter until a careless Bucks player was forced to close out. During one such possession, Maxay surged past Antetokkounmpo after catching the ball in the left corner and scoring with a push shot.

Maxey did what he does best, which is press the pedal to the medal, when he was trusted to lead the team while Embiid was resting. After drawing a shooting foul and a and-one on a floater, both of which came from Cam Payne, he got Lillard to switch to him and made a step-back three-ball.

The tenth player to enter the game for the Sixers was Jaden Springer, who joined two other guards to play small-ball SF. He used two enormous blocks and his physical force to make his presence known. However, the Bucks not only took advantage of some amicable bounces from the rim but also went on a 21-5 run to score and maintain their lead. After Maxey’s burst of shots ended, Philly found it difficult to make shots.