Milwaukee Bucks vs Philadelphia 76ers Starting Lineups and Depth Charts for Oct. 23 | 2024-25 NBA season

The Milwaukee Bucks and the Philadelphia 76ers open their 2024-25 season with a matchup at the Wells Fargo Center in Philly on Wednesday. Giannis Antetokounmpo and Co. take on a 76ers team missing two of its best players, Joel Embiid and Paul George.

With the 76ers without “The Process” and “PG-13,” the pressure will be on All-Star guard Tyrese Maxey to deliver a opening victory at home. Andre Drummond, Kelly Oubre Jr., Eric Gordon and Guerschon Yabusele must step up to thwart the Bucks.

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Milwaukee Bucks vs Philadelphia 76ers: Injury report

Milwaukee Bucks injury report

Giannis Antetokounmpo is listed as probable but is expected to play. Khris Middleton isn’t available, though, as he's recovering from ankle surgery.

Philadelphia 76ers injury report

Joel Embiid’s surgically repaired left knee continues to bother him. He will be in street clothes on Tuesday against the Bucks and on Friday versus the Toronto Raptors. Embiid will be re-evaluated by the weekend.

Meanwhile, Paul George, who hyperextended his left knee in preseason, is dealing with a bone bruise. Although there was no structural damage to his knee, the Sixers haven't given a definite return date for the former LA Clippers star.

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Milwaukee Bucks vs Philadelphia 76ers: Starting lineups and depth charts

Milwaukee Bucks starting lineups and depth charts

Starters	2nd	3rd
Damian Lillard	Delon Wright	Andre Jackson Jr.
Gary Trent Jr.	A.J. Green	AJ Johnson
Pat Connaughton	MarJon Beauchamp	Chris Livingston
Giannis Antetokounmpo	Taurean Prince	Tyler Smith
Brook Lopez	Bobby Portis	Liam Robbins

Philadelphia 76ers starting lineups and depth charts

Starters	2nd	3rd
Tyrese Maxey	Kyle Lowry	Reggie Jackson
Eric Gordon	Ricky Council IV	Jeff Dowtin
Kelly Oubre Jr.	Caleb Martin	KJ Martin
Guerschon Yabusele	Adem Bona
Andre Drummond

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Milwaukee Bucks vs Philadelphia 76ers: Key matchups

Damian Lillard vs Tyrese Maxey

The two All-Star guards aren’t likely going to have a one-on-one duel but will have opportunities to shadow each other. Damian Lillard looks more comfortable in his second season with the Bucks under coach Doc Rivers. He could be a thorn in Philadelphia’s flesh if Maxey can’t contain him.

Meanwhile, Maxey could also test Lillard and the Bucks’ perimeter defense. After carrying the Sixers in the playoffs, the cat-quick guard is ready to carry a bigger load for his team. Without Embiid and George, stopping Maxey could be Milwaukee’s top priority.

Giannis Antetokounmpo vs whoever the 76ers ask to guard him

Andre Drummond will likely be busy trying to jostle with Bucks center Brook Lopez, leaving Guerschon Yabusele or Adem Bona to deal with Giannis Antetokounmpo. The two-time MVP had an impressive preseason, signaling his readiness to lead the Bucks.

The “Greek Freak” might overwhelm Bona, a rookie out of UCLA, so that task could fall on Yabusele who had a superb run at the Olympics. Caleb Martin and Kelly Oubre Jr. will get their opportunities, but both are too undersized to slow down arguably the NBA’s most devastating inside scorer.

Nick Nurse might decide to double-team Giannis Antetokounmpo the entire game to slow him down.