The Milwaukee Bucks showcased their shooting prowess, using a remarkable 3-point barrage to defeat the Oklahoma City Thunder 97-81 and secure the NBA Cup title.
This victory marked a significant achievement for the franchise.
Giannis Antetokounmpo, who earned the Tournament MVP award, delivered an impressive performance with 26 points, 19 rebounds, and 10 assists. Damian Lillard contributed 23 points, while the Bucks made 17 shots from beyond the arc, leading to their triumph over the Thunder in the championship game.
Brook Lopez and Gary Trent Jr. each added 13 points, helping the Bucks join the Los Angeles Lakers as the only champions of this two-year-old tournament. A pivotal 19-5 run in the second half transformed a close five-point game into a commanding 19-point lead early in the fourth quarter, allowing Milwaukee to maintain control until the final buzzer.
“It’s great, it’s great for our team,” Antetokounmpo expressed. “We’re getting better… We know we’re leaving Vegas as a better team. I’m so proud of this group. Man, I’m so proud of this group.”
For the Thunder, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led with 21 points, while Jalen Williams added 18. Despite their consistent scoring this season, the Thunder struggled against the Bucks, particularly from the 3-point line, where they were outscored 51-15.
Isaiah Hartenstein recorded 16 points and 12 rebounds for Oklahoma City, which managed only 31 points in the second half.
While the game was significant for tournament standings, it did not impact the regular season records. The Bucks players earned approximately $514,971 each in bonus money, while the Thunder players received $205,988 each.
After a rocky 2-8 start to the season, the Bucks have turned their fortunes around, claiming 13 wins in their last 16 games, even if this one won’t officially count.
As the Bucks cleared their bench with 1:37 remaining, Antetokounmpo celebrated as if it were a true championship moment.
Although he has experienced greater victories, including the 2021 NBA title, the team prioritized the NBA Cup from the beginning of the tournament.
In the end, they proved their determination and skill.
Damian Lillard and Giannis Antetokounmpo share a hug after winning the NBA Cup. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
“We struggled coming out of the gates,” Bucks coach Doc Rivers reflected. “No one here doubted what we can be and who we can be, and we just hung in there. We stuck together, and this is the byproduct of a team sticking together. But we still have work to do.”
Takeaways
Bucks: Milwaukee played without guard Khris Middleton (non-COVID illness) and still improved to an NBA-best 12-1 all-time in NBA Cup games, including a perfect 7-0 this season. The Bucks’ only in-season tournament loss was to Indiana in last year’s semifinals.
Key moment
A pivotal moment occurred with 9:12 left in the third quarter when five players scrambled for a loose ball. Thunder forward Lu Dort received a technical foul, and shortly after, coach Mark Daigneault was also penalized. Lillard capitalized on this with a five-point possession, scoring two free throws from the technical fouls and following up with a 3-pointer.
Key stat
The Thunder have a strong record of 20-1 this season when leading after three quarters. However, they now sit at 0-5 when tied or trailing going into the final quarter, even though this game will officially count as 0-4.
Up next
Looking ahead, the Thunder will visit Orlando on Thursday and Miami on Friday. The Bucks will head to Cleveland on Friday before hosting Washington on Saturday.
