The Milwaukee Bucks have captured the NBA Cup after defeating the Oklahoma City Thunder 97-81 in a decisive tournament final held in Las Vegas. This victory marks a significant achievement for the Bucks, as they become only the second team, along with the Los Angeles Lakers, to win this two-year-old event.
Giannis Antetokounmpo led the charge for the Bucks, scoring 26 points, securing 19 rebounds, and dishing out 10 assists, while Damian Lillard contributed 23 points. The Bucks displayed impressive shooting from beyond the arc, sinking 17 three-pointers, which helped them build a formidable lead in the game.
Reflecting on the game, Lillard praised the team’s cohesive performance, stating, “Everybody did their job… It just showed what we’ve been building.” A pivotal moment came in the second half when the Bucks launched a 19-5 run that transformed a five-point lead into a 19-point advantage early in the fourth quarter, allowing them to maintain control for the remainder of the game.
For the Thunder, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was their leading scorer with 21 points, followed by Jalen Williams with 18. However, Oklahoma City struggled significantly, especially in the second half, managing only 31 points and retaining a shooting percentage of just 34%. Despite this setback, Thunder coach Mark Daigneault focused on the positives, emphasizing the need to learn and move forward.
The NBA Cup win provides a much-needed boost to the Bucks, who had faced a challenging start to the season with a 2-8 record. Since then, they have turned their performance around, winning 13 of their last 16 games, though the tournament results will not count towards their regular season record.
Antetokounmpo, while celebrating the trophy, reminded everyone that the team still has goals to pursue: “Job’s not done,” hinting at their aspirations for future titles in the upcoming regular season.
The Bucks played without key player Khris Middleton but managed to bring their tournament record to a remarkable 12-1. They are scheduled to face the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Washington Wizards in their upcoming games.
In closing, this victory serves as a great morale booster for the Bucks as they continue to build on their momentum ahead of the regular season. Fans can look forward to an exciting season as the Bucks aim to compete for the ultimate championship once again.
Overall, the Bucks’ triumph highlights their tenacity and commitment to improvement, setting the stage for a promising remainder of the season.