The Milwaukee Bucks are the 2024 NBA Cup champions after defeating the Oklahoma City Thunder 97-81 during the championship game held on December 17, 2024, at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. This decisive win crowned the Bucks as the tournament winners, who had previously entered the competition as underperformers with a disappointing start to their season.
Early on, it seemed like the matchup would be closely contested, as the Thunder, led by standout Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, managed to take a narrow 28-27 lead at the end of the first quarter. The Bucks, needing to prove their mettle after starting the season with only one victory out of seven games, adjusted quickly and countered with determined play before halftime, entering the locker room with a slim 51-50 lead.
After the break, the Bucks turned the game on its head. The third quarter proved pivotal when Damian Lillard and Taurean Prince hit back-to-back three-pointers, igniting Milwaukee's offense. They dominated the quarter, outscoring the Thunder 26-14, and taking control of the game for good. The Bucks’ shooting was off the charts, particularly from beyond the arc, as they converted 17 of their 40 three-point attempts—an impressive 42.5%.
Giannis Antetokounmpo led his team with authority, putting up remarkable numbers—26 points, 19 rebounds, and 10 assists, achieving yet another triple-double in his career. His capacity to dominate the paint became clear early on, as he repeatedly found mismatches and exploited them, forcing the Thunder to desperately scramble for answers.
"I think we are competing more," said Antetokounmpo. This sentiment reflects the Bucks’ turnaround since their rocky start of 1-6. They have since won 14 out of their last 20 games, reinforcing their status as hopeful contenders. Lillard, reinforcing Giannis' performance with 23 points, stated, "Winning the Cup doesn’t count against our regular season record, but it matters for our rhythm and confidence." Their collaboration on court has proven to be synergistic, casting them as one of the most formidable duos this season.
On the other hand, the Thunder struggled mightily during the championship. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was the high scorer for Oklahoma City with only 21 points, accompanied by four rebounds and two assists. His shooting percentage reflected the team's overall dismal performance as Oklahoma City shot only 33.7% from the field and 15.6% from three-point range (5 of 32). This was uncharacteristic for what has been hailed as one of the youngest and most talented teams, with many expecting them to be NBA title contenders before the tournament.
"We have to be who we are and take the fight to them," Gilgeous-Alexander asserted, aiming to address the team’s setbacks. The pressure of the final seemed to weigh heavily upon him as he was clearly not himself on the biggest stage, missing open shots he typically makes. Adding to the frustration, Isaiah Hartenstein was perhaps the only player to boost his stock, posting solid numbers with 16 points and 12 rebounds, but it was not sufficient to counter Milwaukee's consistent scoring and defense.
The win granted the Bucks each player about $515,000 as their bonus, significantly more than the $216,000 each Thunder player earned as runners-up. While this monetary reward signifies success, for Oklahoma City, the sting of the loss will prompt them to reevaluate strategy as they prepare for the regular season, aiming to meet expectations set for them this season.
Reflecting on the tournament’s significance, both Antetokounmpo and Gilgeous-Alexander acknowledged the experience gained. "It’s good prep for postseason," Gilgeous-Alexander stated, noting the importance of high-stakes games for developing teams as they push forward. Notably, the Bucks became the only team to return from last year's Cup semifinals after competing for the inaugural title, emphasizing their determination to reclaim their spot as dominant forces within the league.
Players’ preparations for the season will not be swayed by the Cup’s outcome, but for Milwaukee, the momentum from this latest victory could very well catalyze their pursuit of another NBA championship come April. Meanwhile, the Thunder have important lessons to take away from this championship run, even if it ended in disappointment.
Oklahoma City aims to bounce back stronger. The youth and potential of the team remain bright, leading many to still believe they have what it takes to turn their fortunes around and assert themselves as legitimate contenders this season.
