Giannis Antetokounmpo claimed a triple-double performance as the Milwaukee Bucks defeated the Oklahoma City Thunder 97-81 in this year's mid season tournament called NBA Cup final. The Bucks' victory marked the second-ever NBA Cup title, with the event's semi-finals and final held in Las Vegas. The triumph took place at the T-Mobile Arena, where Antetokounmpo's standout performance earned him the prestigious NBA Cup MVP award.
Antetokounmpo’s Historic Triple-Double Performance
Antetokounmpo’s incredible performance included 26 points, 19 rebounds, and 10 assists. Alongside him, Damian Lillard contributed 23 points to help the Bucks secure the win. The Thunder’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led his team with 21 points, although his shooting was less than stellar, finishing eight-for-24 on the night.
The Bucks maintained a tight lead throughout the game, holding a slim 51-50 advantage at halftime. Heading into the final quarter, Milwaukee led 77-64. Brook Lopez played a crucial role in stretching the Bucks' lead, knocking down back-to-back three-pointers to push the score to 86-66.
Antetokounmpo Reflects on Team Effort
After the game, Antetokounmpo praised his team for their collective effort. "I'm so proud of the group," said the two-time NBA MVP. "Everybody was extremely locked in. We came in, we were focused, played great basketball, and we were able to win. We had this goal as a team, and we accomplished it."
Bucks’ Resurgence After Tough Start
The victory marked a significant point in the Bucks’ season, as the team has made a strong recovery after a tough start. After beginning the season with a 2-8 record, the 2021 NBA champions have won 13 of their past 16 games.
Despite the Cup victory, the Bucks acknowledge that they can't erase their early-season struggles. Damian Lillard noted, "I wouldn't say it completely flushes [the poor start] because we can't get those games back. But we've shown the team we started the season as is not the team that we are now, and it was never who we truly were."
Currently, the Bucks sit in fifth place in the Eastern Conference with a 14-11 record.
Thunder's Young Core Reflects on Valuable Experience
On the losing side, the Oklahoma City Thunder, led by their young star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, faced their first NBA Cup final. Despite the loss, the Thunder showed signs of growth, with Jalen Williams adding 18 points. Williams commented on the experience, saying, "It's rare to have a feeling like this where it feels like the playoffs, and we'll kind of take it and learn from it." The young Thunder team, sitting atop the Western Conference with a 20-5 record, acknowledged the importance of the event in preparing for future high-stakes games.
NBA Cup Impact: More Than Just a Tournament
This year's NBA Cup was more than just an exhibition tournament. While not affecting the overall standings, it became a showcase of competitiveness and pride among teams, signaling a shift in how the event is perceived.
Lillard remarked, “It was something we wanted to win and just being in something like this, the second year, I feel that teams cared about it a little bit more.” The increased physicality and intensity on the court made the event feel more authentic, and fans could sense the rivalry and stakes, even if the NBA Cup was not directly tied to playoff positioning.
NBA commissioner Adam Silver, too, expressed satisfaction with the tournament’s evolution, emphasizing how the competition, regardless of the participants, served to bring an additional layer of excitement to the early part of the season.
As the Bucks celebrate their NBA Cup victory, they will shift focus to continuing their strong play through the regular season. For the Thunder, despite the loss, their playoff aspirations remain high. Both teams, along with the rest of the NBA, will now look toward the remainder of the season as they aim for the ultimate prize in June—the NBA championship.
