Giannis Drops 37 as Bucks Edge Magic, Advance to NBA Cup Semis
What a night in Milwaukee! The Milwaukee Bucks are heading back to the NBA Cup semifinals, and they have their superstar, Giannis Antetokounmpo, to thank for it. Giannis was nothing short of spectacular, dropping 37 points on the Orlando Magic in a thrilling 114-109 victory Tuesday night. If you’re a Bucks fan, you’re probably still buzzing from this one!
But let’s not forget the closer. Damian Lillard came up clutch when it mattered most, scoring nine of his 28 points in the final minute. Talk about ice in his veins! With the game on the line, Lillard sank two critical free throws with just 9.1 seconds left, giving Milwaukee the breathing room they needed. And when Orlando’s Jalen Suggs missed a potential game-tying three-pointer, it was Giannis who sealed the deal with two more free throws. Game over. Bucks win.
Back-to-Back Semifinal Appearances
For the Bucks, this win means a return to the NBA Cup semifinals in Las Vegas. They’re the only team from last year’s inaugural tournament to make it back to this stage. That’s consistency, folks. Milwaukee will now face the winner of Wednesday’s quarterfinal matchup between the New York Knicks and the Atlanta Hawks on Saturday. Circle that date on your calendar because it’s going to be a showdown.
Suggs Shines, But Magic Fall Short
Let’s give some credit to the Magic, who were playing without several key players. Despite being short-handed, Orlando put up a fight, thanks in large part to Jalen Suggs. The young guard was electric, scoring 32 points and keeping the Magic in the game until the very end. Unfortunately for Orlando, Suggs missed a crucial three-pointer with 12 seconds left that could have given them the lead. It was a tough break for a team that showed a lot of heart.
Orlando was missing forwards Paolo Banchero (torn right oblique), Jonathan Isaac (right hamstring strain), and Franz Wagner, who also suffered a torn right oblique last Friday against Philadelphia. Guard Gary Harris (left hamstring strain) was also out. Despite these absences, Orlando’s bench stepped up in the first half, scoring 28 points, including 13 from Moritz Wagner and 10 from Anthony Black. However, Wagner went scoreless in the second half, and the Magic couldn’t keep up with Milwaukee’s firepower.
Giannis Makes History
Giannis Antetokounmpo continues to rewrite the record books. With his 37-point performance, he extended his streak to 22 straight games with 20 or more points on 50% shooting. That’s the longest streak to open a season in NBA history and the third-longest at any point in a season. The only players ahead of him? Shaquille O’Neal and Zion Williamson, who each had 25-game streaks. Giannis was a machine, shooting 15 of 24 from the field. If he keeps this up, the Bucks are going to be a tough out for anyone.
Key Moments and Stats
- Khris Middleton: While he didn’t score, Middleton was a playmaker, dishing out eight assists. Three of those came in a crucial stretch where the Bucks went on an 11-0 run to take a 78-70 lead.
- Gary Trent Jr.: Middleton’s third assist set up a big three-pointer from Trent Jr., who helped the Bucks maintain their momentum.
- Orlando’s Bench: The Magic’s reserves contributed 28 points in the first half but faded in the second, which proved costly.
What’s Next?
All eyes now turn to Saturday’s semifinal in Las Vegas. Will the Bucks continue their march toward the NBA Cup title, or will their next opponent—be it the Knicks or the Hawks—find a way to stop them? One thing’s for sure: with Giannis playing at an MVP level and Lillard delivering in crunch time, Milwaukee looks like a team on a mission.
Stay tuned, basketball fans. The NBA Cup drama is just heating up!
Originally Written by: Associated Press
