Las Vegas, the city of bright lights and high stakes, had a new winner on Tuesday night.
The Milwaukee Bucks seized the NBA Cup in dominant fashion, dispatching the Oklahoma City Thunder 97-81.
Fueled by a triple-double from tournament MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo and a flurry of 3-pointers, the Bucks etched their names in history as only the second-ever champions of the league’s in-season tournament.
Antetokounmpo delivered a masterclass with 26 points, 19 rebounds, and 10 assists, while Damian Lillard chipped in 23 points, including a pivotal five-point possession in the third quarter. “Everybody did their job,” Lillard said postgame. “We defended. We played well from start to finish. This win is a reflection of what we’ve been building.”
Milwaukee’s offense was electric, draining 17 shots from beyond the arc and outscoring Oklahoma City 51-15 in that department. Brook Lopez and Gary Trent Jr. contributed 13 points apiece, and the Bucks’ defensive intensity ensured they never relinquished control in the second half. A 19-5 run early in the fourth quarter pushed the lead to 19 points, leaving no doubt about the outcome.
For Antetokounmpo, the victory was about more than just the trophy. “We’re leaving Vegas as a better team,” he said. “I’m so proud of this group. We’ve come a long way, but we know the job’s not done.”
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On the other side, Oklahoma City struggled mightily. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who led the Thunder with 21 points, acknowledged the team’s shortcomings. “We didn’t shoot well, but that’s never an excuse,” he said. The Thunder, who had scored at least 99 points in every game this season, were held to just 81 points while shooting a meager 34%.
Despite the loss, head coach Mark Daigneault struck an optimistic tone. “We did some good things defensively, especially in the paint,” he noted. “But offensively, it was a tough night all around. We’ll learn from this and move forward.”
The Bucks have been on a tear since their rocky 2-8 start to the season. This win marked their 13th victory in 16 games, a streak that underscores their resurgence. While the NBA Cup win won’t count toward their regular-season record, it’s clear this team is finding its stride.
The game also had its dramatic moments. A third-quarter scuffle over a loose ball saw multiple players hit the deck, and technical fouls on Thunder forward Lu Dort and Daigneault handed Lillard a chance to swing the momentum further. He converted both technical free throws and followed up with a 3-pointer, turning the sequence into a dagger.
Bucks’ Focus
Statistically, the Thunder faltered in an unfamiliar scenario. They are 20-1 this season when leading after three quarters but are winless in games where they trail heading into the final period. This contest, while not affecting official records, continued that trend.
The Bucks, playing without Khris Middleton due to illness, showcased their depth and focus. They improved to an NBA-best 12-1 in in-season tournament games, including a flawless 7-0 this year. The Thunder, meanwhile, will look to regroup during their upcoming Florida road trip against Orlando and Miami.
For Milwaukee, the NBA Cup represents a milestone — not the destination, but a significant marker along the way. “We’ve struggled, we’ve grown, and now we’ve achieved this,” said head coach Doc Rivers. “But we still have work to do.”
Antetokounmpo echoed the sentiment. “The job’s not done,” he said, a clear reminder that the Bucks have their sights set on a bigger prize in June. But for now, in the city of luck and lights, Milwaukee’s number came up golden.