Two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo shakes off knee trouble to play for the Bucks on opening night

Associated Press

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo overcame tendonitis in his knee and was in the starting lineup for Milwaukee's opening game against Philadelphia on Wednesday night.

The Bucks managed to defeat forward Khris Middleton on the night in a game without the expected star power with Joel Embiid and Paul George out for the 76ers.

Middleton, a three-time All-Star, had no 5-on-5 practice in the preseason as he recovers from offseason surgeries on each of his ankles.

The Bucks once again have one of the best trios in the league with Antetokounmpo, seven-time All-NBA guard Damian Lillard and Middleton.

Antetokounmpo didn't play at all in Milwaukee's first-round playoff loss to Indiana last season and missed several games in Milwaukee's exit from the 2023 first-round playoffs. Middleton has played a total of 74 games over the past two regular seasons.

Coach Doc Rivers, entering his first full season with the Bucks, said he wasn't “that worried” about early injury issues.

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