The Milwaukee Bucks made historical past final evening, clinching their first-ever NBA Cup title with a 97-81 victory over the Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder in Las Vegas.
Giannis Antetokounmpo, as all the time, was the person of the second. The “Greek Freak” placed on a resilient, dropping a triple-double: 26 factors, 19 rebounds, and 10 assists. His efficiency earned him the match’s MVP honors, and rightly so.
“I’m so pleased with the group – we had this aim and we completed it,” Giannis mentioned after the sport, flashing his trademark smile. “It’s the very best feeling ever – simply successful”
Damian Lillard additionally got here by for the Bucks, scoring 23 factors, whereas the workforce’s protection stored the Thunder from discovering their rhythm. Oklahoma Metropolis struggled to shoot, ending at simply 34% from the sphere and 15% from deep.
The turning level? A 3rd-quarter explosion by the Bucks. They unleashed a 19-5 run, stretching their lead and silencing any Thunder comeback hopes. The Thunder’s frustrations boiled over with back-to-back technical fouls, giving Milwaukee all of the momentum.
For the Bucks, this victory cements their place within the NBA’s new in-season match. Launched simply final yr, the NBA Cup goals to boost the common season with group play and knockout rounds. Whereas the Los Angeles Lakers took the inaugural title, this yr it’s all about Milwaukee.
The Bucks are strolling away with the trophy, some additional money, and most significantly, bragging rights.
