Michael Kidd-Gilchrist and Giannis Antetokounmpo put on a show

The Charlotte Hornets edged the Milwaukee Bucks 107-96 last night in Milwaukee. This didn’t surprise many fans, given that the Bucks are still attempting to patch up their rotation sans-Khris Middleton, while the Hornets bring back most of the core pieces of a playoff roster. It was easy to lose this game in an eventful opening night, given you could watch Demar DeRozan go for 40 points, Anthony Davis go for 50, or Myles Turner’s breakout game against the Pacers.

But this game wasn’t without its star performances. Giannis Antetokounmpo and Michael Kidd-Gilchrist put on a show of their own, each showing hints of the potential that they were predicted to unleash on the league this season. Kidd-Gilchrist, in his first game back from his shoulder injury last season, put up 23 points, 14 rebounds, a steal and a block in the winning effort. However, Antetokounmpo wasn’t to be outdone, operating as the pace car to the Bucks offense by posting 31 points, nine rebounds, five assists, a steal and a block. The two would tango on both ends of the floor several times, and while MKG’s team ended up victorious, both teams could come away with very positive vibes about their prized wings.

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Kidd-Gilchrist offered the more polished game, displaying all of the things that necessitated his $52-million extension at the beginning of last season. He feasted at the rim, hitting 9-of-11 shots inside the restricted area, scoring in equal parts on put-backs, cuts, and off-the-dribble floaters from the wing. And while that meant he was just 1-of-7 from elsewhere, he looked comfortable taking those shots in rhythm, a continuation of the progression the Hornets are hoping for.

Additionally, he was incredibly active underneath the basket, coming away with 14 rebounds on 32 rebound chances, per NBA SportVU data. Most often, you would see him spot up in the corner, allowing action to develop in front of him, and then fly in like a missile at an offensive rebounding chance. Ditto for defense, where he always seemed to be tangled with someone after a missed basket, regardless of where he was when the shot went up.

Defensively, Kidd-Gilchrist was also his usual self, although that’s best illustrated in video form.

Antetokounmpo, meanwhile, seemed to take a step forward in a few aspects of his game. While he was often still the reckless freight train we all know and love, Antetokounmpo was able to play with more poise in the halfcourt, and did a decent job of playing off of other playmakers on the floor, whether it be working in dribble hand-offs with Matthew Dellavedova or acting as a pick-and-roll screener for Jason Terry. And he’s still on his way to being one of the league’s best at attacking with a head of steam towards the rim. He did miss some easy passes, particularly on cuts or dump-offs when he was attacking, but for a Bucks team that’s missing its biggest secondary offensive weapon, you can’t mistake how crucial Giannis’s effort was to even making this game close.

The Bucks and Hornets both have ridiculously young and ridiculously promising young wings to build their teams around. There’s still room for improvement, of course: MKG needs to stay healthy and continue to diversify his offensive skill set, and Giannis needs to develop better control and outside shooting. But on a night where so many of the NBA’s stars debuted with stellar performances, the efforts of Antetokounmpo and Kidd-Gilchrist serve as reasons for Milwaukee and Charlotte fans to be excited. Not just for what could come this season, but in the future, as well.