Antetokounmpo Leads Bucks to NBA Cup Glory with Triple-Double Performance
Giannis Antetokounmpo delivered a stellar triple-double as the Milwaukee Bucks defeated the Oklahoma City Thunder 97-81 to secure the NBA Cup title.
In just its second year, the mid-season tournament culminated in Las Vegas, with the Bucks emerging as champions at the T-Mobile Arena. Antetokounmpo dominated the game, recording 26 points, 19 rebounds, and 10 assists, earning him the tournament’s Most Valuable Player honor.
Damian Lillard added 23 points to the Bucks’ total, while Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the Thunder with 21 points. However, the Thunder’s top scorer struggled with efficiency, hitting just eight of 24 attempts in a challenging night for the Western Conference leaders.
Milwaukee held a narrow 51-50 lead at halftime, then pulled ahead 77-64 by the end of the third quarter. Brook Lopez extended the advantage early in the fourth with back-to-back three-pointers, cementing their control of the game.
“I’m incredibly proud of this group,” said Antetokounmpo, a two-time league MVP. “Everyone stayed locked in, focused, and committed to our goal. We played great basketball and achieved what we set out to do.”
Bucks Turn Season Around
The victory marked another milestone in the Bucks’ dramatic turnaround. After a dismal 2-8 start to the season, the 2021 NBA champions have won 13 of their last 16 games, climbing to fifth in the Eastern Conference with a 14-11 record.
The NBA Cup games count as regular-season fixtures except for the final, adding extra significance to Milwaukee’s resurgence. Reflecting on the team’s progress, Lillard said, “We can’t undo the poor start, but we’ve shown that the team we were then isn’t who we are now. We’ve found our rhythm and identity.”
Thunder Gain Valuable Experience
Despite the loss, the young Thunder squad, now 20-5 and leading the Western Conference, took valuable lessons from the high-stakes environment. Jalen Williams contributed 18 points and emphasized the importance of the experience.
“It’s rare to get this type of play-off-like atmosphere mid-season,” Williams noted. “For a young team like us, it’s great practice to simulate the intensity and challenges of the postseason. We’ll learn and grow from this.”
As the Bucks celebrate their triumph and the Thunder focus on their continued development, the NBA Cup continues to add excitement and meaning to the mid-season schedule.
