Milwaukee Bucks Triumph in Las Vegas: NBA Cup Glory Achieved
Dec 17, 2024, 11:12 PM ET
LAS VEGAS — In the city where luck is a currency, the Milwaukee Bucks found their fortune in the number 3. This magical number led them to the coveted NBA Cup, a prize that signifies more than just a win—it marks a significant milestone in their season.
The Bucks’ victory was spearheaded by none other than Giannis Antetokounmpo, who delivered a stellar performance with 26 points, 19 rebounds, and 10 assists. His partner in crime, Damian Lillard, added 23 points to the scoreboard. Together, they led the Bucks to connect on 17 3-pointers, ultimately defeating the Oklahoma City Thunder 97-81 in the NBA Cup title game on Tuesday night.
Contributions also came from Brook Lopez and Gary Trent Jr, each scoring 13 points. This victory places the Bucks alongside the Los Angeles Lakers as the only champions of this 2-year-old event. A decisive 19-5 run in the second half transformed a close five-point game into a commanding 19-point lead early in the fourth quarter, allowing the Bucks to maintain control for the remainder of the game.
“It’s great, it’s great for our team,” Antetokounmpo expressed with pride. “We’re getting better. … We know we’re leaving Vegas as a better team. I’m so proud of this group. Man, I’m so proud of this group.”
On the other side, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 21 points and Jalen Williams added 18 for the Thunder. Despite their efforts, the Thunder, who had scored at least 99 points in every game this season, struggled significantly. They were outscored 51-15 from beyond the arc and managed only a 34% shooting accuracy.
Isaiah Hartenstein contributed 16 points and 12 rebounds for Oklahoma City, but it wasn’t enough to turn the tide.
While this game was solely for tournament purposes, the stakes were high with about $300,000 in additional bonus money for the Bucks players, who received $514,971 each. The Thunder players, meanwhile, took home $205,988 each. However, the win, the loss, and the statistics from the game won’t count toward the regular season.
The Bucks, who had a rocky start to the season with a 2-8 record, have been on a remarkable upswing. This victory marks their 13th win in their last 16 games, even though it won’t be part of the official record.
As the game drew to a close, with 1:37 left on the clock, the Bucks emptied their bench, and Antetokounmpo celebrated with the enthusiasm of a true championship moment. Although he has experienced bigger victories, including the 2021 NBA title, the NBA Cup was a clear priority for the team from the outset of this tournament.
Reflecting on the journey, Bucks coach Doc Rivers said, “We struggled coming out of the gates. No one here doubted what we can be and who we can be and we just hung in there. We stuck together and this is the byproduct of a team sticking together. But we still have work to do.”
Antetokounmpo echoed this sentiment with a succinct statement: “Job’s not done,” he said.
- Giannis Antetokounmpo: 26 points, 19 rebounds, 10 assists
- Damian Lillard: 23 points
- Brook Lopez and Gary Trent Jr: 13 points each
- Shai Gilgeous-Alexander: 21 points
- Jalen Williams: 18 points
- Isaiah Hartenstein: 16 points, 12 rebounds
The Associated Press contributed to this story.
Originally Written by: ESPN.com
