The Milwaukee Bucks’ season took a decisive turn in Las Vegas last night as they captured the Emirates NBA Cup with a commanding 97-81 win over the Oklahoma City Thunder. After a turbulent 2-8 start, the Bucks are now emerging as contenders, fueled by disciplined defense and improved chemistry between Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard.
The Bucks delivered a stifling defensive performance, holding one of the league’s top offenses to season lows in points, field goal percentage, and three-pointers. Entering the game, Oklahoma City averaged nearly 125 points in December, led by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the NBA’s third-leading scorer. Yet Milwaukee’s size and intensity stifled the Thunder’s rhythm, forcing them into a woeful 5-for-32 shooting performance from beyond the arc.
The tone was set in the third quarter when Antetokounmpo dove to the floor for a loose ball despite the Bucks holding a comfortable lead. His relentless hustle epitomized Milwaukee’s energy, as they held OKC to just 31 second-half points.
“We didn’t leave each other out to dry,” said Lillard. “Over the season we’ve had lapses, but tonight our focus was there.”
Antetokounmpo’s triple-double (26 points, 14 rebounds, 10 assists) and Lillard’s 23 points showcased the growing chemistry between Milwaukee’s two stars. After early-season struggles to find balance, the Bucks’ duo has begun to thrive. Lillard acknowledged the adjustment period, noting both players are used to commanding the ball.
“It just took time,” Lillard said. “We now see the luxury of having each other as teammates. In games like this, when the stakes are high, that trust shows.”
Their partnership clicked throughout the Cup tournament, with both players elevating their game when needed most.
For the Thunder, it was a humbling night for Gilgeous-Alexander. The MVP contender, who averaged over 30 points per game, managed just 21 points on an inefficient 9-of-24 shooting. The Bucks’ defense threw multiple bodies at him, forcing contested looks and disrupting his rhythm.
“Nights like that happen,” Shai said after the game. “I got to my spots, but the shots didn’t fall.”
The absence of Chet Holmgren’s offensive support due to injury left Oklahoma City with limited options when Milwaukee shut down their star.
The victory symbolized a resurgence for a Bucks team that looked disjointed early in the season. Milwaukee struggled with injuries and defensive lapses in the first weeks, prompting doubts about their championship aspirations.
“The team that started the season isn’t the team you see now,” Lillard emphasized. “We never were.”
The Bucks now sit in a strong position to challenge for the Eastern Conference lead, with coach Doc Rivers confident the Cup win will serve as a reminder of their potential.
“It tells us we can beat anyone if we play the right way,” Rivers said.
The Bucks’ outlook is further boosted by a favorable schedule and the anticipated return of Khris Middleton, who has been recovering from off-season ankle surgery. While not the defender he once was, Middleton’s scoring ability will provide critical support to Antetokounmpo and Lillard.
“We’re getting better,” Giannis said. “The first 10 games, we were the worst defensive team in the NBA. Now we’re top 10.”
Milwaukee’s upcoming stretch includes nine games against sub-.500 opponents, giving them an opportunity to build momentum.
Although the NBA Cup is just an early-season title, it has undoubtedly bolstered the Bucks’ confidence and set them on a more favorable trajectory. For a team that began with uncertainty, the tournament win is a turning point — one that may ultimately define their season.
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