The Milwaukee Bucks are back over .500 for the first time since they started the 2024-25 NBA season 1-0. That first win on opening night against the Philadelphia 76ers was followed by a six-game losing streak. A few games later, with Milwaukee at 2-8, many national analysts called for the Bucks to blow up their roster and rebuild.
Of course, this would mean trading stars Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard to the larger markets that these analysts want two of the NBA’s brightest stars to play in.
Thankfully, the organization does not listen to the national media. With their 124-114 victory over the Washington Wizards on Saturday night, the Bucks improved to 10-9 on the season and have won six games in a row. Had it not been for a horrible foul call at the end of Milwaukee’s game against the Charlotte Hornets on November 16 that handed them a loss, it would have been their ninth consecutive victory.
Milwaukee Bucks Stars Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard Made NBA History
Giannis, the two-time NBA MVP, led Milwaukee with 42 points, 12 rebounds, and 11 assists. It was with 48th career triple-double, third of the season, but just the first time he ever scored 40+ points in such an effort.
Lillard added 25 points, five rebounds, 10 assists, and three steals. It was the fourth time in his last five games that he posted 20+ points and 10+ assists.
It was also the third time since they have been together that both Giannis and Lillard had 25+ points and 10+ assists apiece.
No other pair of teammates in NBA history has accomplished that feat more than twice:
This is the 3rd time Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard have both recorded 25+ PTS and 10+ AST in the same game, the most by any duo in NBA history. https://t.co/zB4tcrzVHn pic.twitter.com/AxKlmIlh2B
— NBA History (@NBAHistory) December 1, 2024
Interestingly, it was the first time this season that Giannis and Dame reached those totals in the same game, meaning that they did it twice last year. In other words, they tied an NBA record together in their first year as teammates, and broke it less than 20 games into their second.
Milwaukee Bucks All-Star Damian Lillard Climbs Up the All-Time Assists List
In addition to making history with Giannis, Lillard continued to climb up the NBA’s all-time assists list. His fourth assist of the night gave him 5,778 for his career, moving him ahead of Kenosha, Wisconsin native Nick Van Exel for 45th on the NBA’s all-time list.
Now with 5,784 for his career, Lillard’s next opportunity to move up the ladder will come later in the season. Avery Johnson is 44th with 5,846 assists, and former Bucks point guard Sam Cassell is 43rd with 5,939.
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