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Antetokounmpo leads the Bucks to victory in the NBA Cup final

Posted on by Goldteelic
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18
Dec
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Giannis Antetokounmpo delivered a dominant triple-double to propel the Milwaukee Bucks to a commanding 97-81 victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder in the NBA Cup final, cementing their place as champions of the league’s mid-season tournament. Held at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, this year’s NBA Cup finale showcased Antetokounmpo at his best, as he recorded 26 points, 19 rebounds, and 10 assists to earn the coveted Most Valuable Player (MVP) award.

Milwaukee Bucks Claim Historic NBA Cup Win

The NBA Cup, a mid-season tournament introduced last year, has quickly become a highlight of the season, offering teams a chance to battle for silverware while building momentum. The Bucks, determined to make their mark, became the second team to lift the trophy, with a performance that highlighted their resilience and growing chemistry.

Despite a close first half, where Milwaukee led by just one point (51-50), the Bucks took control in the third quarter, outscoring the Thunder 26-14 to head into the final period with a 77-64 advantage. Brook Lopez played a pivotal role, hitting back-to-back three-pointers in the fourth quarter to extend the lead to 86-66, putting the game out of reach for the Thunder.

Antetokounmpo’s Leadership Shines

Speaking after the game, Antetokounmpo, a two-time league MVP, reflected on the team’s journey:
“I’m so proud of the group. Everybody was locked in and focused. We came in, played great basketball, and achieved our goal. Winning this as a team means a lot to us.”

Damian Lillard also played a key role in the win, contributing 23 points, while Brook Lopez added crucial defensive presence alongside his clutch three-point shooting.

For the Oklahoma City Thunder, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the charge with 21 points but struggled to find his rhythm, shooting just 8-for-24 from the field. Jalen Williams added 18 points for the youthful Thunder, who still hold the top spot in the Western Conference with an impressive 20-5 record.

Bucks Complete a Remarkable Turnaround

The Bucks’ journey to NBA Cup glory marks a stunning turnaround for the 2021 NBA champions, who started the season with a dismal 2-8 record. Since then, Milwaukee has won 13 of their last 16 games, climbing to fifth place in the Eastern Conference with a 14-11 record.

While NBA Cup games count toward regular-season standings—except for the final—the Bucks’ success in Las Vegas serves as a reminder of the team’s true potential.

Damian Lillard, reflecting on the team’s resurgence, said:
“It doesn’t completely erase the poor start because we can’t get those games back. But we’ve shown that the team we started as isn’t who we are now—and never really was.”

Thunder Embrace Playoff-Like Atmosphere

Despite the loss, the Thunder took valuable lessons from the NBA Cup experience. As one of the youngest teams in the league, their strong start to the season underscores their potential. Reflecting on the mid-season tournament, Jalen Williams said:
“It’s rare to have an atmosphere like this during the regular season. It felt like the playoffs. For a young team like us, this is great practice—being in a different city and playing under this kind of pressure.”

A Glimpse of the Bucks’ Championship Aspirations

The Bucks’ triumph in the NBA Cup not only adds a new trophy to their collection but also signals their readiness to contend for another NBA championship. With Antetokounmpo in peak form and Lillard settling into his role, Milwaukee’s trajectory is pointing upward.

As the mid-season tournament concludes, the Bucks have sent a clear message to the league: they’re back to playing championship-caliber basketball, and their eyes are firmly set on more glory ahead.

Goldteelic

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