Milwaukee Bucks Clinch Emirates NBA Cup Title

The Milwaukee Bucks secured the inaugural Emirates NBA Cup with a decisive 97-81 win over the Oklahoma City Thunder at the T-Mobile Arena. Giannis Antetokounmpo delivered an impressive triple-double, contributing 26 points, 19 rebounds, and 10 assists, while Damian Lillard added 23 points. Milwaukee’s sharp three-point shooting (17 makes) and dominant second-half performance sealed the victory.

 

The Bucks overcame a slow start, pulling away after halftime. Trailing 31-27 at the end of the first quarter, Milwaukee regained a slim 51-50 lead at halftime. The third quarter proved pivotal, as Milwaukee’s three-pointers from Taurean Prince and Damian Lillard fueled a 26-14 run. Brook Lopez’s back-to-back threes in the fourth pushed the lead to 20, putting the game out of reach.

 

Oklahoma City struggled from beyond the arc, shooting just 5-of-32, which hindered their comeback efforts. By the closing minutes, the Thunder had emptied their bench, conceding the championship to the Bucks.

 

 

Antetokounmpo’s all-around performance earned him the NBA Cup MVP award. His key defensive plays, including a late-game block on Isaiah Hartenstein, were instrumental. Speaking after the game, he said,

"Winning feels amazing, especially when the team executes so well. Tonight was our night."

 

Coach Doc Rivers praised the team’s growth and chemistry, emphasizing their ability to adapt and trust one another throughout the tournament.

 

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led Oklahoma City with 21 points but struggled against Milwaukee’s tight defense. Andre Jackson Jr. was instrumental in limiting him to just 8-of-24 shooting. Coach Mark Daigneault admitted the Bucks’ defense disrupted their rhythm, saying,

"They challenged us in ways we couldn’t fully adjust to tonight."

 

 

This victory marks Milwaukee’s second major title in recent years, following their 2021 NBA Finals triumph. It also gave Damian Lillard his first championship with the Bucks, solidifying his impact on the team.

 

The Bucks will celebrate their achievement with a banner-raising ceremony during their next home game.