LAS VEGAS (AP) — The Milwaukee Bucks claimed the 2024 Emirates NBA Cup title with a commanding 97-81 victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder on Tuesday night, showcasing their resilience and teamwork. Tournament MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo delivered yet another stellar performance, contributing 26 points, 19 rebounds, and 10 assists, alongside teammate Damian Lillard who added 23 points. The Bucks connected on 17 three-pointers, effectively turning the game around with their long-range shooting prowess.
"Everybody did their job. We defended. We played well from the start of the game all the way through to the finish. I think it just showed what we've been building. I think it all came out in our biggest game to this point," Lillard remarked after the match.
The Bucks' victory reflects their notable turnaround after a rough start to the season, as they improved to 13 wins out of 16 games following their prior 2-8 record. The teamwork was evident, with Brook Lopez and Gary Trent Jr. each contributing 13 points. Milwaukee took control of the game with a 19-5 run during the second half, transforming what was initially only a five-point lead early in the fourth quarter to 19 as they secured the championship.
Antetokounmpo expressed pride in his team's progress, stating, "It's great, it's great for our team. We're getting bigger... We know we're leaving Vegas as a more cohesive team. I'm so proud of this group. Man, I'm so proud of this group." The Bucks displayed excellent teamwork and poise, especially during crunch time, to leave Las Vegas as champions.
On the other side of the court, the Thunder struggled offensively to match the Bucks' scoring pace. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 21 points and Jalen Williams added 18, but their performance was overshadowed by the Bucks' three-point domination. "We didn't shoot it well. But that's never an excuse. ... We've shot bad and won games before, so that's not an excuse," Gilgeous-Alexander lamented after the game.
While the Thunder showcased some defensive strengths by outscoring the Bucks in the paint, Oklahoma City managed only 15 points from beyond the arc, shooting just 15.6% from three-point range. Isaiah Hartenstein contributed significantly with 16 points and 12 rebounds, yet any attempt to rally back proved futile as the Bucks stifled them, holding Oklahoma City to just 31 points after halftime.
Thunder coach Mark Daigneault acknowledged his team's shortcomings, stating, "We did some good things. We outscored them in the paint so obviously we did the job defensively on the end. But obviously, this was a tough night offensively all the way around for us. We didn't score nearly enough points, especially in the second half, to give ourselves a chance to win. But we can learn from it, move forward here." The Thunder's efforts marked their first loss after beginning the season strongly and will serve as valuable learning experiences.
The game carried additional stakes for players, with the Bucks earning $514,971 each, compared to the Thunder players, who received $205,988 for their participation. Despite not counting toward the regular season records, this win carried significant weight for the Bucks as they continue to build momentum for the remainder of the season.
Head coach Doc Rivers, reflecting on the team's path, remarked, "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." This win symbolizes not just the Bucks' success but also their potential for the future.
With the tournament complete, eyes now turn to the upcoming regular season. Antetokounmpo clarified the mindset of the Bucks for the future: "Job's not done," he concluded, signaling the drive and ambition as they aim for another title later in June.
Both teams are set to resume regular season play soon, with the Thunder visiting Orlando and Miami, and the Bucks heading to Cleveland and then hosting Washington.
