The Milwaukee Bucks celebrated a significant victory in Las Vegas by winning the NBA Cup, marking a notable achievement in the young tournament’s history. The Bucks triumphed over the Oklahoma City Thunder with a score of 97-81, showcasing a powerful performance led by Tournament MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo, who delivered an impressive 26 points, 19 rebounds, and 10 assists. Damian Lillard also played a vital role, contributing 23 points, while the team as a whole demonstrated remarkable shooting with 17 three-pointers.
Bucks’ players, including Brook Lopez and Gary Trent Jr., added 13 points each, helping the team solidify their lead with a pivotal 19-5 run in the second half. The Bucks have now joined the Los Angeles Lakers as the only teams to have won the NBA Cup, and this victory represents a strong turnaround after their slow start to the season. Coach Doc Rivers expressed pride in his team’s resilience, emphasizing that their combined effort and unity were instrumental in achieving this win.
While the Thunder had been performing well throughout the season, scoring at least 99 points in their previous outings, they struggled offensively in this game, managing only 31 points in the second half. Star player Shai Gilgeous-Alexander acknowledged the team’s shooting woes but remained optimistic about learning from the experience as they move forward.
Although this championship won’t officially count towards the regular season standings, the Bucks are enjoying their 13th victory in the last 16 games, bringing them to an impressive 12-1 record in NBA Cup matches so far. The team values this achievement, as Antetokounmpo noted that their journey is not over, with larger goals on the horizon.
In summary, the Bucks’ victory at the NBA Cup not only illustrates their current strength in the league but also sets a positive tone for the remainder of the season. With a solid team dynamic and a resilient mindset, Milwaukee appears poised for continued success as they strive for greater honors in the upcoming months.