The Milwaukee Bucks opened their four-game exhibition slate with a 127-80 loss to the Detroit Pistons on Sunday night in Detroit at Little Caesars Arena. The Bucks spent Oct. 1-4 holding a remote training camp at the University of California-Irvine, a sojourn Bucks head coach Doc Rivers hoped would lay a strong foundation for a team that is looking to get out of the first-round of the playoffs for the first time since the 2021-22 season.

The Bucks jumped out to a 20-3 lead in the early going and took a 39-28 first quarter lead behind 14 points from Damian Lillard and eight points from Brook Lopez. The team went 9-for-14 from behind the three-point line in the quarter as well.

Things began to go the other way in the second quarter, however, as the Pistons outscored the Bucks 32-19 to take a 60-58 lead into halftime. With the majority of the Bucks’ primary rotation players subbing out in the third quarter, the Pistons outscored the Bucks 31-21 to take a 91-79 lead. Detroit outscored Milwaukee 29-8 in the fourth quarter.

Bucks first-round pick AJ Johnson played 18 minutes, going 1-for-8 from the field for two points. He also handed out two assists and had three turnovers.

Here are three takeaways from the game:

Bucks guard Gary Trent Jr. exits game with elbow injury

At the 2-minute, 53-second mark of the second quarter, Bucks guard Gary Trent Jr. was screened by Pistons big man Jalen Duren. Duren caught Trent Jr.’s left elbow, and the guard dropped to the ground immediately in clear pain. Trent then was helped off the court and immediately went to the locker room with what the Bucks called a hyperextension. He did not return to the game.

In his Bucks debut, Trent started and played 13 minutes, scoring five points on 2 of 3 shooting. He was arguably the Bucks top offseason pickup, signing for a minimum deal after shooting 39% from behind the three-point line for Toronto last season.

Shortly before this play, Duren was called for an illegal screen on Taurean Prince when he threw an elbow into Prince’s chest that sent the newly acquired Bucks forward to the floor. Prince, however, was able to return to play.

Damian Lillard looks ready to go

The 34-year-old Bucks point guard told the Journal Sentinel over a couple days in the summer that he was really looking forward to this season because he’s had a stable, steady offseason.

And in the preseason opener, playing without Giannis Antetokounmpo and Khris Middleton, Lillard was 5-for-7 from the field for 14 points in just 7 minutes, 35 seconds of action in the first quarter. That included a 4-for-5 showing from behind the three-point line. He also handed out three assists as the Bucks scored 39 points in the opening frame.

Lillard finished his night after playing 17 total minutes in the first half with 15 points and four assists to go with two rebounds.

Taurean Prince brings an edge

Off an AJ Johnson turnover, Detroit broke out into a fastbreak – and at the 9:33 mark of the third quarter, Pistons guard Jaden Ivey went up for an explosive open-court dunk. But, Bucks forward Taurean Prince not only chased the play, but met Ivey at the rim for a clean, physical block on the right-handed slam attempt. Ivey hit the court safely and Prince roared as the Bucks collected the rebound.

Yes, it’s one play – but it’s not often you’ll see an eight-year veteran busting it back on defense end during a preseason game.

Prince played 16 minutes through three quarters. He scored five points, had five rebounds, two assists and two blocks.

At 6 feet, 6 inches, Prince is expected to bring a switchable, defensive presence to the Bucks after playing 78 games for the Los Angeles Lakers last season.

5 numbers

• 5: Consecutive missed shots by the Pistons in the first quarter after making the opening basket of the game, allowing the Bucks to jump out to a 20-3 lead.

• 10: Players who saw court time for the Bucks in the first half, with Delon Wright subbing in for Damian Lillard. Bobby Portis was the team’s sixth man.

• 25: Turnovers by the Bucks, leading to 34 points for the Pistons.

• 50: Percent shooting by the Bucks from behind the three-point line in the first half, which was largely played by the top rotation players. The team went 13-for-26 as a team while Lillard and Portis made four apiece.

• 10/13/2021: The last time Khris Middleton played in a preseason game, when he logged 25 minutes vs. Utah.

Quote of the day

Doc Rivers was asked before the game what he needs to see out of the young players on the Bucks roster this preseason:

“How well they play with others. This is a team with talented stars on it. You have Dame and Giannis. So, the key for them is how do they play with stars? Because they’re gonna be role players on this team. And so, can they play well under those circumstances.”

Is Giannis playing?

No. Giannis Antetokounmpo had not played a preseason opener since Dec. 12, 2020, against Dallas. It was the start of a short three-game exhibition slate, which began a truncated season that ended in a Bucks championship.

Who are the Bucks starters?

• Guards: Damian Lillard, Gary Trent Jr.

• Forwards: Taurean Prince, Pat Connaughton

• Center: Brook Lopez