The Milwaukee Bucks secured their spot in the NBA Cup Finals by defeating the Atlanta Hawks 110-102 at T-Mobile Arena on Saturday. Giannis Antetokounmpo led the charge, scoring 32 points and grabbing 14 rebounds, alongside key contributions from Damian Lillard, who added 25 points. The victory was not only significant for the Bucks but also showcased the transformation the team has undergone after starting the season poorly.
Entering the semifinal match, the Bucks, who had seen themselves at 2-8 earlier this season, were on a roll with 12 wins out of their last 15 games, moving past early season doubts. Coach Doc Rivers noted, "Outside of Milwaukee, people were wondering what’s going on. Not us. Maybe, just maybe, the Bucks fit the description of being East contenders again." The Hawks, riding high with star player Trae Young, who had been having sensational performances, were determined to avenge their earlier elimination by the Bucks during the 2021 Eastern Conference finals.
From the outset, the game was tense. The Hawks took the first quarter 28-26, showcasing their attacking style led by Young who, against solid bucks defense, quickly established his presence on the court. Despite Atlanta's early lead, the Bucks were not to be outdone. They responded sharply, outscoring the Hawks 29-21 in the second quarter to enter halftime with a slim 55-49 advantage.
The third quarter saw the teams trade blows, with Young proving exceptionally difficult to contain. He finished with 35 points, 10 assists, and 7 rebounds, but struggled to get his teammates involved as the Bucks' defense focused on limiting his shot creation. Antetokounmpo stated afterward, "We secured important stops, which was the defining aspect of our game today," underscoring the Bucks’ commitment to effective defense.
With the game hanging in the balance, the fourth quarter began with the Hawks holding the momentum at 83-82. Yet, fueled by timely scoring from Antetokounmpo and Lillard, the Bucks commenced a decisive ascent. A pivotal moment came when Antetokounmpo contributed six points during the closing minutes, helping secure their 103-96 lead with just over three minutes remaining. This surge proved decisive, as Milwaukee's well-timed free throws and strategic plays sealed their fate. Lillard punctuated the win with clutch play down the stretch, emphasizing the Bucks' team effort, "We were a little sharper this time. We came correct."
The Bucks’ discipline and effective strategies paid off, especially when big plays were required. The game also featured standout defensive moments such as the impressive block by Antetokounmpo and Brook Lopez on Clint Capela, similar to Antetokounmpo’s famous swat of Deandre Ayton during the 2021 Finals. Such moments showed the commitment and grit the Bucks displayed throughout the matchup.
Even with the strong performance from Young, the Hawks were unable to secure the necessary support. De’Andre Hunter and Jalen Johnson contributed with 15 points each, but none of the other Hawks players managed to breach the 15-point mark, showcasing Milwaukee’s defensive supremacy. Coach Rivers noted, "Trae can have those games where he hurts you (scoring), but when he does, he doesn’t find anyone else," confirming the Bucks’ strategy to effectively neutralize Atlanta's offensive rhythm.
Looking forward, the Bucks have their eyes set on the NBA Cup Championship game on Tuesday, where they will face either the Oklahoma City Thunder or the Houston Rockets. After their impressive showing against the Hawks, confidence is high. Antetokounmpo summed it up best, stating, “The only thing matters is winning.” Milwaukee aims to capitalize on this momentum, pushing forward as they strive for yet another title.
