Las Vegas, Nevada — Giannis Antetokounmpo delivered a stellar triple-double performance to propel the Milwaukee Bucks to a 97-81 victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder, clinching the NBA Cup championship on Tuesday at T-Mobile Arena.
Antetokounmpo scored 26 points, grabbed 18 rebounds, and dished 10 assists to secure Milwaukee’s first NBA Cup title, making them the second team to win the trophy after the Los Angeles Lakers’ inaugural championship last season.
Damian Lillard supported the Bucks with 23 points, including a crucial stretch in the third quarter where his long-range shooting and calm free-throw accuracy extended Milwaukee’s lead to double digits.
Key Performances
For the Thunder, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led with 21 points but struggled from the field, shooting just 8-of-24, including 2-of-9 from beyond the arc. Jalen Williams contributed 18 points, while Isaiah Hartenstein added 16, going 5-for-5 in the first half.
Game Highlights
- First Half:
Milwaukee held a slim 51-50 lead at halftime, with Antetokounmpo scoring 14 points and Lillard adding 12. Despite their efforts, the Thunder kept it close, led by Hartenstein’s perfect shooting and intensity. - Second Half:
Lillard hit a signature deep three following back-to-back technical fouls on Thunder forward Luguentz Dort and coach Mike Daigneault, which shifted momentum to the Bucks. They extended their lead to as much as 20 points in the second half, dominating both offensively and defensively.
Milwaukee shot 42% from the field and 42.5% from three-point range, while Oklahoma City struggled with just 33.7% shooting overall and a dismal 15.6% from beyond the arc. The Bucks also controlled the boards, outrebounding the Thunder 52-43.
Dominance and Celebration
The victory highlights the Bucks’ depth and ability to dominate in clutch moments, with Antetokounmpo and Lillard proving a formidable duo. “We stayed locked in and focused on our game plan,” Antetokounmpo said after lifting the trophy.
The Bucks’ triumph adds to their recent history of success, with fans already anticipating what the team might achieve this season.