Giannis Antetokounmpo scores 20 points in preseason debut, Bucks lose to Lakers 107-102

Giannis Antetokounmpo played his first game at Fiserv Forum since April and scored 20 points in one half of action, but the Milwaukee Bucks fell to the Los Angeles Lakers , 107-102, Thursday night at Fiserv Forum.

The Bucks (0-2) also got 23 points off the bench from Bobby Portis Jr. as the top six players only appeared in the first half. Rookie AJ Johnson added 10 points off the bench for Milwaukee.

Los Angeles (1-2) won its first game under new head coach JJ Redick. Anthony Davis played in the second half, scoring 11 points on 5 of 14 shooting in 25 minutes. LeBron James scored 11 points in 16 minutes.

Here are some takeaways from the game:

Giannis Antetokounmpo strong in return to Bucks

The Bucks star played nearly 20 first half minutes, scoring 20 points on 10-of-18 shooting. He also pulled down seven rebounds and had two assists to go with a highlight chase down block of a LeBron James layup attempt in the second quarter.

It was Antetokounmpo’s first game in a Bucks uniform since April 9, when he suffered a strain in his left soleus (calf) muscle that ended his season. He returned to play over the summer for the Greek national team, leading Greece to its first Olympic Games since 2008.

BOX SCORE: Lakers 107, Bucks 102

While Antetokounmpo had a couple of strong finishes around the rim, it was worth noting how active he was off the ball – particularly running hard to the rim when Portis had the ball out on the wing. Portis was hot at the time – he had made all four of his three-pointers to that point – and the Lakers closed strong on him. Portis put the ball on the floor and hit a cutting Antetokounmpo for a dunk.

Antetokounmpo also laid in a lob from Brook Lopez by being in position in the paint opposite the center. Late in the second quarter he cut hard away from a defender off an inbound and got an easy dunk.

He did not play in the second half as the rest of the starters also rested.

Bobby Portis lights it up

With Antetokounmpo back in the starting lineup, Portis was the Bucks’ sixth man in relieving the two-time MVP. And he immediately made his impact known, scoring 20 points in his first 10 minutes of action.

Portis made his first three shots before missing, and then promptly drained four more to go 7-for-8 from the field overall. He also went 4-for-4 from behind the three-point line and assisted on a basket. The instant offense was needed, as the starting five combined to go 3-for-10 for nine points in the first quarter.

Khris Middleton progressing after ankle surgeries

The Bucks all-star had surgery on both ankles in the offseason but has been a limited participant in practices to date . Rivers said he felt Middleton may be able to play in the Bucks’ final two preseason games (Oct. 14 vs. Chicago and Oct. 17 at Dallas), but that it was not a guarantee.

Rivers maintained that stance before the Lakers game but added that Middleton is advancing through stages of play.

"Just three-on-three stuff, really live," Rivers said. "He's gonna do some four-on-four this week. Hopefully by the end of the week he's scrimmaging."

The Bucks host the Bulls on Monday.

Damian Lillard, Delon Wright hobbled vs. Lakers

Before the game, Bucks backup point guard Delon Wright was deemed unavailable after suffering a right shoulder bruise in Wednesday’s practice.

Starter Damian Lillard then appeared to get his foot stuck on the court late in the first quarter on a drive-and-kick to Brook Lopez, with his right toe awkwardly sticking for a moment. He came up limping and subbed out shortly thereafter, sitting the final five minutes of the first quarter. Lillard was briefly checked on by athletic trainer Scott Faust on the bench, but the all-star returned to play in the second quarter.

Lillard’s night was over at halftime with the rest of the starters, scoring eight points on 2-of-7 shooting. He was 3 for 3 from the free throw line and added four assists and four rebounds.

Three numbers

• 1 Technical fouls on LeBron James, earning one with 9.1 seconds left in the first half after he did not get a whistle in contact as he drove in for a layup.
• 16 Three-point attempts by the Bucks in the first half with the regulars in. Without Antetokounmpo in the preseason opener against Detroit, the team was 9 for 14 in the first quarter alone and 4 for 13 in the second quarter when the regulars were playing.
• 5:04 First quarter minutes for Bucks rookie AJ Johnson, as he subbed in for a momentarily hobbled Lillard. Johnson was impressive in his second NBA game, directing the offense with two assists on Portis three-pointers and a transition dunk off a Pat Connaughton steal. Johnson was steady and patient with veterans around him, looking better than his frenetic debut against Detroit when he had three turnovers, three fouls and went 1 for 8 in about 18 minutes.

More: The Bucks' Khris Middleton opens up on getting through his toughest year and bouncing back

Waukesha native Liam Robbins ‘grateful’ for Bucks homecoming

It’s been a circuitous journey for Liam Robbins to return to Wisconsin, which made Thursday night’s game in Milwaukee a unique experience for the 25-year-old center.

Robbins was born in Waukesha and lived in Waterford until he was six years old, becoming a Bucks, Wisconsin Badgers and Green Bay Packers fan.

“It’s home, but it’s not home at the same time,” he said Thursday.

His father, Mark, is from East Troy, but the Robbinses moved to Iowa be closer his mother Bridget’s family. Liam said no extended family remains in Wisconsin, but family made the drive from Iowa to see him play vs. the Lakers on Thursday.

It’s one he made with his father and brother to the Bradley Center to watch the Brandon Jennings and Monta Ellis-era Bucks.

“Before the game we’d go to Kopp’s for burgers, get that and then watch the game and head back to Iowa after,” Robbins said. “It was a doable drive. So, it is kind of weird. Grew up watching these games and stuff and now I’m with them right now. I’m definitely very fortunate to be doing this right now.”

Furthering his Wisconsin ties, Robbins’ uncle Duffy Conroy was an assistant coach under Rob Jeter at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee for a decade.

After moving to Iowa, Robbins began his prep career at Assumption High School. After he re-classified, he finished high school at Sunrise Christian Academy in Kansas before beginning his college career at Drake University. He then transferred to the University of Minnesota before ultimately finishing up at Vanderbilt University.

A right leg fracture prematurely ended his campaign at Vanderbilt in 2023, but he still was named the SEC’s Defensive Player of the Year. He went undrafted that spring but signed on with the New Orleans Pelicans’ G League affiliate in Birmingham, Alabama. Unfortunately, his season ended early again in January when there was a complication with the plate that was inserted from the surgery.

“It took me longer to recover, but I’m fully back now,” Robbins said. “I have no restrictions or anything. I’m back, but it just took a really long time because I needed a second operation. But I’m good now. No issues.”

Robbins, 25, signed with the Bucks at the end of August to be part of the training camp roster and he made his preseason debut against the Pistons on Oct. 6 and blocked three shots.

“That was my first game in like a year and a half so to get back out there, I definitely had a little bit of nerves getting back out there,” he said. “I was really excited. Obviously not perfect by any means but just to get back out there and have the opportunity, just very grateful and count my blessings for sure.”

A day later the Wisconsin Herd swung a trade to acquire Robbins’ returning player rights from Birmingham.

The Bucks currently have the maximum 15 guaranteed player contracts allowed, so it is highly unlikely Robbins will earn a roster spot out of camp. But, there is now an opportunity for him to continue his professional career in his native state.

“I’m excited just for the opportunity to be with the Milwaukee Bucks system,” Robbins said. “Coach Beno (Udrih) is great, getting to know him. The teammates I’ve met so far are all great dudes, so I’m excited for that and develop and see where I can go. I’m getting back healthy from an injury I had last year so I’m just excited for the opportunity to play again.”

Did LeBron James come to Milwaukee?

Yes. He warmed up on the court at Fiserv Forum roughly three hours before tip-off and started vs. the Bucks. He played 16 first half minutes, going 4-for-11 from the field and scoring 11 points. He also had six rebounds and four assists.

The league’s all-time scoring leader posted a social media message on Wednesday wondering why his team had to fly to Milwaukee for a preseason game. James sat out the Lakers exhibition opener on Oct. 4 and then played on Oct. 6, making NBA history by sharing the court with his son, LeBron "Bronny" James Jr.

More: Doc Rivers wants the Milwaukee Bucks to 'learn how to play.' What does that mean?

Doc Rivers reflects on coaching son Austin as Bronny James plays for Lakers

Bronny James Jr. checked in late in the third quarter to a nice ovation from the Fiserv Forum crowd. The rookie guard made his third preseason appearance for the Lakers, though he did not play with his father, LeBron, who played only in the first half.

Bucks head coach Doc Rivers coached his son, Austin, with the Los Angeles Clippers from 2014-18. It was a historic moment in the NBA as that had never happened. Another of Rivers' sons, Spencer, is currently an assistant coach for the Bucks this season. Doc was asked before the game if he ever could have imagined playing with one of his sons.

"No, I mean you have to have staying power," Doc Rivers said. "It's easy – I guess it's not easy because it (had) not been done for a head coach to coach his son – it hasn't been done much. But for a player to play with his son, it's just extraordinary just because the older player has to play a long time. Either that or he has to have a kid at 11. But it's pretty extraordinary."

Is Giannis playing tonight?

Bucks head coach Doc Rivers said before the game that Giannis Antetokounmpo will play .

Bucks starters

• Guards: Damian Lillard, Gary Trent Jr.
• Forwards: Giannis Antetokounmpo, Taurean Prince
• Center: Brook Lopez

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Giannis Antetokounmpo scores 20 points in preseason debut, Bucks lose to Lakers 107-102