Bucks claim NBA Cup victory led by Giannis' triple-double.©(@9sportsplus )
Giannis Antetokounmpo delivered a commanding performance to lead the Milwaukee Bucks to victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder in the NBA Cup final. Antetokounmpo recorded a triple-double with 26 points, 19 rebounds, and 10 assists, earning him the tournament’s Most Valuable Player award. The Bucks secured a 97-81 win at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, becoming the second winners of the mid-season tournament introduced last year.
Damian Lillard added 23 points for the Bucks, complementing Antetokounmpo’s dominance. Despite leading the Thunder with 21 points, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander struggled with his shooting, going eight-for-24 in a subpar offensive display for the Western Conference leaders. The Bucks held a slim 51-50 advantage at halftime and extended their lead to 77-64 by the end of the third quarter. Brook Lopez played a pivotal role in the final period, hitting back-to-back three-pointers to push the Bucks ahead 86-66, sealing their path to victory.
Antetokounmpo, a two-time league MVP, praised his team’s focus and determination. “I’m so proud of the group,” he said. “Everybody was extremely locked in. We came in, were focused, played great basketball, and were able to win. We had this goal as a team, and we accomplished it.”
The victory marked a significant turnaround for Milwaukee after a challenging start to the season. Beginning with a 2-8 record, the 2021 NBA champions have since won 13 of their last 16 games. The Bucks now sit fifth in the Eastern Conference with a 14-11 record, as all NBA Cup fixtures except the final count towards the regular-season standings. Lillard acknowledged the team’s progress but noted the early struggles still linger. “I wouldn’t say it completely flushes [the poor start] because we can’t get those games back,” he said. “But we’ve shown the team we started the season as is not the team we are now, and it was never who we truly were.”
Jalen Williams contributed 18 points for the youthful Thunder, who lead the Western Conference with a 20-5 record. Reflecting on the experience, Williams highlighted the unique atmosphere of the tournament. “It’s rare to have a feeling like this where it feels like the playoffs, and we’ll kind of take it and learn from it,” he said. “It’s a good opportunity for every team in the cup, especially us being as young as we are, to simulate being in a different city for however long and having a playoff feel. It’s good practice.”
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The Bucks’ triumph in Las Vegas underscores their resurgence and highlights the potential of the NBA Cup as a competitive and meaningful addition to the league’s calendar.
