The Milwaukee Bucks captured the NBA Cup championship, defeating the Oklahoma City Thunder 97-81 in a decisive victory Tuesday night, The Associated Press reports.
Led by tournament MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo’s triple-double performance (26 points, 19 rebounds, 10 assists) and a scorching 17-of-37 performance from beyond the arc, the Bucks dominated the game.
Damian Lillard added 23 points to the Bucks’ offensive firepower, while Brook Lopez and Gary Trent Jr. each contributed 13 points. A decisive 19-5 run in the second half propelled Milwaukee to a commanding lead, extending a five-point advantage to a 19-point margin early in the fourth quarter.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (21 points) and Jalen Williams (18 points) led the scoring effort for the Thunder, who had averaged over 99 points per game this season. However, Oklahoma City struggled significantly against Milwaukee’s defense, shooting only 34% from the field and being outscored 51-15 from three-point range. Isaiah Hartenstein’s 16 points and 12 rebounds weren’t enough to overcome the Bucks’ dominance.
While the NBA Cup is a pre-season tournament and the game’s statistics don’t count toward regular season records, the victory held significant meaning for the Bucks, who earned substantial bonus money for their players ($514,971 each). The win marks their 13th victory in their last 16 games, showcasing a significant turnaround after a slow start to the season.
Antetokounmpo, despite having won an NBA championship in 2021, celebrated the NBA Cup victory with the same intensity, pumping his fists after the final buzzer. He emphasized that the “job’s not done,” highlighting the team’s focus on the ultimate goal of another NBA championship in June.
Key Takeaways:
• Bucks: Improved to 12-1 all-time in NBA Cup games, showcasing their dominance in the tournament despite missing Khris Middleton due to illness.
• Thunder: Experienced a rare uphill battle, trailing by as much as 20 points – a significant departure from their regular season performance.
• Key Moment: A chaotic scramble for a loose ball in the third quarter resulted in technical fouls for the Thunder, leading to a five-point possession for the Bucks.
• Key Stat: The Thunder’s perfect record when leading after three quarters was broken, highlighting the significance of Milwaukee’s late-game surge.
