On October 19, the 2021-2022 NBA regular season began with a home opener tipoff in Fiserv Forum (Milwaukee, Wisconsin) between Brook Lopez and Nicolas Claxton, playing for the Milwaukee Bucks and the Brooklyn Nets respectively. The Milwaukee Bucks won the first 2021-2022 regular-season game against the Brooklyn Nets with a score of 127-104.
This regular-season opener was highly anticipated among NBA fans, mainly due to a 2020-2021 season playoff thriller between the Milwaukee Bucks and the Brooklyn Nets. The Bucks won that series and persisted through the entire playoffs, winning the 2020-2021 NBA championship. The defending champions still stood their ground on this opening night.
“The Bucks has potential for a championship repeat,” said Ross V., a freshman at AISG, “they can easily beat any team in the league they want if they play to their fullest potential, last year’s playoffs was a great example.”
Giannis Antetokounmpo led the Bucks with 32 points, 14 rebounds, and seven assists. Khris Middleton and Pat Connaughton each added 20 points to help the Bucks withstand the loss of Jrue Holiday, who left after the first half with a bruised right heel after scoring 12 points.
On the other hand, for the Brooklyn Nets, Kevin Durant led the team with 32 points and 11 rebounds. Patty Mills contributed to the Nets by shooting seven of seven from the 3-point range, totaling 21 points for himself. Nets point guard Kyrie Irving was not permitted to play in the game due to COVID-19 vaccination restrictions.
“It will be tough for Nets to win the championship for this season”, said Jacky L., a sophomore in AISG, “especially with Kyrie being stubborn and refusing to get vaccinated.”
Players from the Milwaukee Bucks who played in the 2020-2021 season playoffs also received their championship ring on this opening night. “It’s kind of hard to convert that excitement from seeing the championship banner and ring into a state of readiness for the game.” Said Giannis Antetokounmpo during a postgame interview.