The Milwaukee Bucks came out flat against the Atlanta Hawks in a 127-110 loss Sunday at Fiserv Forum, three days after a dramatic one-point victory over Philadelphia in what the players described as a playoff-like environment.

Atlanta (1-2) opened a 15-point lead in the opening quarter, and though the Bucks reduced it to 33-32 on a Malik Beasley three-pointer early in the second quarter, the Hawks swiftly eased away courtesy to a 15-1 run.

“It’ll be good to go back and look (at the film) for sure,” said Bucks center Brook Lopez of that crucial stretch. “I can’t think of each one because there were so many (of easy baskets).” There was a brief barrage. So, there’s definitely a lot to look at.”

The Bucks (1-1) were never able to recover, as the Hawks led by as many as 30 points when Giannis Antetokounmpo was pulled in the fourth quarter.

 

The Bucks turned the ball over 23 times, while the Hawks scored 25 points on fast breaks.

Antetokounmpo led the club with 26 points on 9-of-14 shooting. He also pulled down 11 rebounds.

“Obviously, we weren’t taking care of the ball as well as we should have,” Antetokounmpo said. “The ball wasn’t moving as much offensively.” We didn’t have much room to work in. When you don’t have enough room to maneuver, you turn the ball over. We weren’t as efficient as we could have been with every offensive possession we had, and they took advantage of it.”

Beasley finished with 18 points on 6 of 12 shooting, including 4-for-10 from beyond the arc. For the regulars, Brook Lopez (13) and Bobby Portis (12) also scored in double figures.

‘Dame Time’ has been pushed back.

Damian Lillard had a rare tough night from tip to finish Sunday after a storybook debut with the Bucks last Thursday, when he set a franchise record for a debut with 39 points. He finished with six points on two of twelve attempts, including a 2-for-8 performance from beyond the arc.

It was only the 16th time in his career that he had fewer than ten points.

“Obviously, I didn’t shoot the ball very well,” Lillard admitted. “I believe it was just a difficult game.” They were the more daring squad. They were more physical than we were. Just a poor early-season contest. We didn’t play well on either end of the floor, and you have to give them credit for showing up.

“They were physical and disruptive.” I believe our offense harmed our defense. They were able to go out (run) when we were off balance due to mistakes and our inability to execute and generate effective shots. They began to feel better.

“Anytime you let a team come in and feel good, especially a desperate team coming in without a win, you let ’em feel good, and they see some shots go in, it can get that way.” You’re looking for an identity, especially early in the season when you’re trying to sort things out.

 

“And I have to be better when that happens.” I can’t be the one who drops the ball. But, as I already stated, it’s a long season, and you don’t want these types of games to happen, but they do, and now we just have to learn from them. We received another (Monday vs. Miami).”

Lillard had a career-low three points as the Bucks trailed by 26 points in the fourth quarter when he hit his second three-pointer at 7:17.

In the first half, he had nearly as many mistakes (six) as missed shots (seven) and, sadly, as many points as his jersey number (0).

“I think I had my mind made up in some situations because I knew what type of coverage they were in,” Lillard explained about his early turnovers. “I was trying to get it to the next guy as soon as possible.” They weren’t always open. Or, based on the positions of their and my guys, I expected the ball to arrive there, but it didn’t. At times, I was a step ahead of myself.”

By limiting Lillard, the Hawks were able to take early control of the game, leading by as many as 15 points in the opening quarter and by as many as 21 points at halftime.

Things didn’t get much better for the Bucks’ point guard in the second half, as he scored his first basket with 3:33 left in the third quarter. He was 1-for-10 from the field and 1-for-6 from behind the three-point line at the time.

Lillard’s career low for a game was four points, set on November 5, 2021. That was also the last game in which he did not score in double figures.

“I know how good he is, and at the end of the day, we need him to keep shooting and keep on being great,” Antetokounmpo said of Lillard. “We’ve got him. Obviously, we didn’t win the game, but he’s our guy now, and we want him to be extra aggressive.

“They’re going to double-team him every night, and he’s going to have to make the right play.” He has a lot on his plate because he has to worry about how he’s going to operate and how he’s going to put us in the best position. It’s quite a bit. But, in the end, we caught him.”