PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo shook off patellar tendonitis and was in the starting lineup for Milwaukee’s opening game against Philadelphia on Wednesday night.

The Bucks moved forward Khris Middleton on the night in a game without expected star power, with Joel Embiid and Paul George playing for the 76ers.

Middleton is a three-time All-Star and has had no 5-on-5 work in the preseason as he recovers from off-season operations on each of his ankles.

The Bucks once again have one of the league’s best trios in Antetokounmpo: Damian Lillard and Middleton, a seven-time NBA guard.

Antetokounmpo did not play at all in Milwaukee’s first-round playoff loss to Indiana last season and missed multiple games in Milwaukee’s first-round exit from the 2023 playoffs. Middleton has played a total of 74 games over the past two regular seasons.

Coach Doc Rivers, entering his first full season with the Bucks, said he wasn’t “that concerned” about the early injury woes.

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