### Bucks Kick Off Season Against 76ers Amid Injury Woes

The Milwaukee Bucks are set to start their 2024-25 regular season tonight in Philadelphia, facing the 76ers at the Wells Fargo Center at 6:30 p.m. CT. This game is highly anticipated by fans and players alike, especially after the Bucks’ absence from the playoffs last season.

“I've been waiting for it since not making the playoffs last year and being home since May,” said new Bucks shooting guard Gary Trent Jr. “So getting an opportunity to come out here for a great start to the season to put ourselves in a position that we want to be in, it's everything I've asked for. I'm ready and everybody else is ready, too.”

Bucks fans will be able to catch the game on ESPN, where Mike Breen, Doris Burke, Richard Jefferson, and Cassidy Hubbarth will be commentating.

The Bucks are entering this season with high hopes, as they look to capitalize on the talent of their roster. However, there are some concerns, especially with their star player, Giannis Antetokounmpo. The two-time MVP is on the injury report with tendinitis in his right knee, though head coach Doc Rivers mentioned Antetokounmpo has been active in every practice during training camp.

“Well, he got through training camp -- I would say more through preseason it started raring its head and it is what it is,” Rivers said before the game. “I'm not that concerned by it. But, it's Giannis. So that's a concern always.”

Adding to the Bucks' injury troubles, three-time all-star Khris Middleton has not yet practiced in a five-on-five setting and has been ruled out for the season opener. This week will be particularly challenging for the Bucks, as they have four games in four different cities over six days, making it difficult for Middleton to find practice time necessary for game clearance.

“Listen, like in the playoffs, you want everybody to be healthy. You just do,” Rivers said, addressing the broader issue of injuries in the game. “We don't have Khris Middleton tonight. So, there's injuries all around. It just seems like there are more injuries now than there were in the past. We have to figure that out and I think everybody's trying to do that.”

On the 76ers side, they will be without MVP center Joel Embiid and newly signed all-star Paul George. Embiid is recovering from an offseason knee issue that arose after the Olympics, while George injured his knee in a preseason game. Embiid has already been ruled out for the first three games of the season and has publicly stated he will not play in back-to-back games this season. This development has led the NBA to consider investigating whether the 76ers have violated the player participation policy.

“I don't care one way or the other. Obviously I'm not coaching here so it's not a concern for me,” Rivers commented on the situation with Embiid. “But, whatever works for Joel is what you have to do. You can't worry about the noise. If that's going to work and that makes him healthy for the playoffs, I don't think there's a person that wouldn't sign on for that. If it works or not I can't give you the answer to that.”

As both teams grapple with early-season injuries, tonight’s game will set the tone for what promises to be an exciting and challenging season ahead.