Everyone in Las Vegas has their lucky number. For the Milwaukee Bucks, that number was 3.
And they hit the jackpot with the NBA Cup.
Tournament MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo led the way with 26 points, 19 rebounds, and 10 assists, while Damian Lillard added 23 points as the Bucks made 17 3-pointers en route to a 97-81 victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder in the NBA Cup final on Tuesday night.
Brook Lopez and Gary Trent Jr. also contributed with 13 points each for the Bucks, who became champions of the 2-year-old event alongside the Los Angeles Lakers. A 19-5 run by Milwaukee in the second half stretched a five-point lead into a 19-point advantage early in the fourth quarter, securing their victory.
Antetokounmpo expressed his pride in the team, stating, “It’s great for our team. We’re leaving Vegas as a better team. I’m so proud of this group.”
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 21 points and Jalen Williams added 18 for the Thunder, who struggled to keep up with the Bucks’ outside shooting and shot only 34% from the field.
Isaiah Hartenstein posted 16 points and 12 rebounds for Oklahoma City, but their offensive production diminished in the second half.
Although the game was solely for tournament purposes, there was bonus money on the line for the Bucks players. Despite the win, the outcome and statistics of the game will not count towards the regular season.
Even though this victory won’t be officially recorded, it marks the 13th win in the Bucks’ last 16 games, propelling them out of their 2-8 start to the season.
As the Bucks celebrated on the court, it was clear that winning the NBA Cup meant a lot to them, despite it being a non-regular season achievement.
Their journey continues, but for now, they bask in the glory of their victory.
Damian Lillard and Giannis Antetokounmpo share a hug after winning the NBA Cup. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
“We faced challenges early on,” reflected Bucks coach Doc Rivers. “But we never wavered in our belief and unity. This victory is a testament to the team’s resilience. However, there’s still more work to be done.”
In the words of Antetokounmpo, “The job is not finished yet.”
Takeaways
Bucks: Despite missing Khris Middleton due to illness, Milwaukee improved their impeccable record in NBA Cup games to 12-1, with a flawless 7-0 record this season. Their only tournament loss came last year in the semifinals against Indiana.
Thunder: It was an unusual night for Oklahoma City as they faced a deficit of up to 20 points. The Thunder have only trailed by more than 14 points in two of their 25 games this season, a significant departure from their usual performance.
Key moment
A chaotic scramble for a loose ball saw multiple players hitting the floor with 9:12 left in the third quarter. The sequence resulted in a technical foul on Thunder forward Lu Dort, another on coach Mark Daigneault, and a five-point possession for Lillard, who sunk two free throws and a 3-pointer.
Key stat
The Thunder have a remarkable 20-1 record this season when leading after three quarters. However, their inability to secure wins when either tied or trailing heading into the final frame continues to be a concern.
Up next
The Thunder will face Orlando and Miami in their upcoming games, while the Bucks will take on Cleveland and Washington in their next matchups.
Reporting by The Associated Press.
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