The Milwaukee Bucks have captured the 2024 NBA Cup Championship after defeating the Oklahoma City Thunder 97-81 on Tuesday night at T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas. This victory not only earned the Bucks another title but also served as a significant turnaround for the team following their rocky 2-8 start to the season.
Leading the charge was Giannis Antetokounmpo, who delivered a remarkable triple-double lineup of 26 points, 19 rebounds, and 10 assists. His performance earned him the tournament MVP honor, reaffirming his status as one of the elite players in the league. "It’s great, it’s great for our team," Antetokounmpo expressed after the game. "We’re getting stronger and leaving Vegas as a solid unit. I’m so proud of this group. Man, I’m so proud of this group."
Damian Lillard also made significant contributions, scoring 23 points and providing key assists, facilitating the impressive Bucks' offense which managed to connect on 17 three-pointers throughout the game. The Bucks' shooting from beyond the arc was pivotal; their 51-15 advantage from three-point land underscored their scoring dominance all evening, as they finished the game shooting 42.5% (17-of-40) from long range.
Despite the Thunder being touted as one of the league's strongest contenders, they faltered, shooting only 33.7% from the field and just 15.6% from three-point territory (5-of-32). Oklahoma City's Shai Gilgeous-Alexander managed to score 21 points, but he struggled with shooting efficiency, marking one of his toughest outings of the season. "We didn’t shoot it well. But that's never an excuse,... we’ve shot bad and won games before," Gilgeous-Alexander stated candidly.
The first half saw both teams jockeying for position, with the Thunder taking a slight lead at 28-27 after the first quarter. Yet, the Bucks rallied to close the half with a narrow 51-50 advantage. They came out firing to begin the second half, opening with back-to-back three-pointers, propelling them to control the game decisively.
The Bucks transformed what was merely a five-point game at one juncture to 19-point lead early in the fourth quarter, thanks to their relentless offense and improved defense. Coach Doc Rivers acknowledged the challenges facing his team early on, saying, "We struggled coming out of the gates. But no one here doubted what we can be and who we can be. We just hung in there." Rivers emphasized the importance of teamwork and dedication, qualities he believes led to the team's tournament success.
The Bucks' triumph marked them as the first repeat champions of the NBA Cup since its inception two years ago. The victory also brought them the hefty monetary bonus, with each player earning approximately $515,000 for their efforts. The Thunder players took home about $216,000 each, still substantial but certainly less celebrated.
Antetokounmpo’s dominating presence on both ends was evident throughout the game. His ability to not only score with authority but also to protect the paint added another layer to the Bucks' gameplay, making them difficult to handle. The MVP candidate remarked on the win saying, "Winning feels good... It’s the execution of our game plan. It just feels good doing it together."
Even without Khris Middleton, who missed the game due to illness, the Bucks managed to leverage their depth effectively. The strong support from players like Brook Lopez and Gary Trent Jr., who each scored 13 points, showcased the team’s versatility and ability to step up when needed.
This victory also allows the Bucks to breathe new life after early season struggles. Winning 12 of their last 16 games overall, Milwaukee now stands at 14-11, with hopes of continuing their upward trend as they move away from the cover of doubts earlier this season. The championship game is not officially counted toward their regular season record, yet the mental and morale boost is undeniable.
Looking forward, the Bucks are slated to continue their season with back-to-back games, traveling to face Cleveland and hosting Washington shortly after. The upcoming matches will serve as important tests to see if they can maintain their newfound momentum established by this title.
With their game against the Thunder, the Bucks remind everyone — including themselves — of their potential to compete at the highest level. Lillard reflected on this as he recognized the significance of the win, stating, "I just thought the way we played as a group... it all came out from the film room to practice to us becoming more connected as we moved forward."
For the Thunder, this championship game is one they will learn from. Head coach Mark Daigneault expressed dissatisfaction with their shooting execution, noting, "We didn’t score nearly enough points... But we can learn from it and move forward."
This title, albeit for the NBA Cup, provides the Bucks with validation and inspires ambition as they chase the ultimate goal later this season. They have set the tone for what could still be an unforgettable campaign as they seek to etch their names again among NBA champions.
