On this day in 1968: the Bucks play their first NBA game
Oct 14, 2026
Bulls 89, Bucks 84
The expansion Bucks lost their first game to Chicago before 8,467 fans at the Milwaukee Arena.
Nine months old
The NBA awarded Milwaukee a franchise on Jan. 22, 1968, and the roster came from an expansion draft.
Embry's 20 boards
Guy Rodgers scored 16 for Milwaukee, and Wayne Embry added 15 points and 20 rebounds.
Pieces of a title
Flynn Robinson scored 23 for Chicago, then was traded to Milwaukee a month later. Bob Boozer arrived in 1970.
Champions by 1971
After a 27-55 first season, Lew Alcindor and Oscar Robertson led the Bucks to the 1971 title.
Photo credit
The Milwaukee Arena (later UW–Milwaukee Panther Arena), where the Bucks played their first NBA game on October 16, 1968. Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0).
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