Milwaukee, Wisconsin - The Milwaukee Bucks started the 2021-22 NBA season off with a big championship banner, big rings, and a big bang by dominating the Brooklyn Nets in Tuesday night's league opener.

The Bucks beat the Nets 127-104 to open the league’s new season, seemingly picking right up where they left off a few months ago, on the same floor where they won their franchise’s first championship in 50 years.

The Nets were playing their first regular-season game without one of their three biggest stars, former NBA champ and staunch anti-vaxxer Kyrie Irving (29), whose presence on the floor might’ve made this game’s outcome at least a little closer.

Apart from a 2-0 lead enjoyed by Brooklyn early in the first quarter, the Bucks never trailed again after that.

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The Nets were simply missing Irving, and it was obvious every time they pulled within single digits, only to be pushed back again by great Milwaukee defense and an even greater offense.

The two-time league MVP and former Defensive Player of the Year Giannis Antetokounmpo received his championship ring along with his teammates and celebrated with a dominating performance on the floor, as usual.

It wasn’t quite the 50-point performance he displayed the last time he was on that court, but it was still one of the best in the game on Tuesday night.

The way the whole team played, he didn’t quite need to dominate, but any time Giannis gives some of his best, spectators can sit back and watch.

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He hit a three-pointer, led both teams in rebounds, and was tied with Nets forward Kevin Durant for the most points scored.

Giannis finished the night 12-for-25, 32 points, and 14 rebounds for his first double-double of the season.

Despite finishing the game with a big deficit, the Nets at times did prove they could hang with one of the best.

They just couldn’t get past them or even tie things up, showing that they need a little extra to get over a potential hump.

And they could get that extra help if, or perhaps when, Irving decides to go along with the program – if someone else doesn't step up in a big way in his place.

On Thursday, the Bucks hit the road to take on the Miami Heat, while the Nets head to Philly to face the 76ers on Friday night.