It’s been a season of firsts for the Milwaukee Bucks and that continued Sunday night as the team hosted (and won) the first-ever playoff game to be played at Fiserv Forum.
Despite mid-April snow showers, fans packed the new downtown arena to watch the top-seeded Bucks defeat the Detroit Pistons 121 to 86 in the first round of 2019 NBA Playoffs. Game 2 is scheduled for Wednesday, April 17 at 7 p.m. at Fiserv Forum.
With a home court advantage and the best record in the NBA, the Bucks are expected to win the series, which would advance the team to the tournament’s second round for the first time since 2001.
In hopes of a long playoff run, the team has worked to build hype throughout the city by dyeing the Milwaukee River green, displaying Bucks playoffs images throughout downtown and planning viewing parties and other activities for the public plaza outside Fiserv Forum.
- Bango poses for a selfie.
- Fans cheer from the main concourse.
- The Rim Rockers perform during a timeout.
- The Milwaukee Brewers game was broadcasted on many of the HD TVs throughout Fiserv Forum.
- Fans show their excitement about a Bucks victory.
- Fans stream into the atrium of Fiserv Forum before tip off.
- Fans watch pregame festivities.
- Bango takes a Harley-Davidson motorcycle for a spin.
- A snowy view of newly opened Punch Bowl Social adjacent to Fiserv Forum.
- Fans arrive at the game dressed in Bucks apparel or costume.
- David Gruber, founder of Gruber Law Offices LLC.
- All fans in attendance received green or white “Built to Stay” Bucks t-shirts, which were sponsored by Johnson Controls.
- George Hill warms up for the game.
- Members of the Bucks spirit squad.
- Hip-hop artist Ohana Bam
- View of the court from the lower seating bowl.
- A fan grabs a beer at one of the full-service bars in the main concourse.
- View of the atrium from the 6th floor Panorama Club.
- The Bucks defeated the Pistons 121 to 86 in Game 1 of the NBA Playoffs’ first round.
- Jeff Yabuki
- Bango waves a Bucks flag during the pregame show.
- Fans gathered before the game at the 6th floor Panorama Club.
- Bucks majority co-owner Marc Lasry.
- Air Bangos race around the court during a timeout.
- Hip-hop artist Ohana Bam performed during halftime with the Milwaukee Bucks dancers.
- Fans sporting their new “Built to Stay” free giveaway t-shirts.
- Giannis Antetokounmpo warms up for a playoff game.
- Bucks majority co-owner Mike Fascitelli (left).
- Former Buck Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
- View of the court from the 6th floor Panorama Club.
- Panorama Club lounge and bar area.