Antetokounmpo finished with 26 points, 18 rebounds, and 10 assists, marking a true triple-double effort that propelled the Bucks to their first NBA Cup title. Milwaukee’s win makes them the second-ever champions of the tournament, following the Los Angeles Lakers’ victory in the inaugural season last year.
Damian Lillard played a crucial role, adding 23 points to the Bucks’ total. Despite a tough shooting night, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the Thunder with 21 points but struggled with his accuracy, shooting just 8-for-24 from the field and 2-of-9 from beyond the arc. Jalen Williams chipped in with 18 points, while Isaiah Hartenstein had a solid outing, contributing 16 points.
Key Moments
The Bucks’ defense and timely shooting made the difference in the second half. With the game hanging in the balance, Lillard hit a pivotal 3-pointer early in the third quarter to extend the Bucks’ lead to 11 points. This came after a brief altercation that led to back-to-back technical fouls on Thunder forward Luguentz Dort and head coach Mike Daigneault, giving Milwaukee two free throws — both of which Lillard converted.
By the end of the third period, Milwaukee had stretched its lead to 77-64, with Antetokounmpo and Lillard combining for a lethal 1-2 punch. The Bucks would cruise through the final quarter, with their defense and rebounding dominance preventing any chance of a Thunder comeback.
The First Half
The first half was a tightly contested battle, with both teams exchanging leads throughout the opening 24 minutes. Antetokounmpo scored 14 points in the first half, while Lillard added 12, helping the Bucks edge ahead 51-50 at the break.
Despite the offensive struggles, the Thunder were buoyed by Hartenstein, who had a perfect 5-of-5 shooting performance for 14 points in the half. Oklahoma City had its share of missteps, including a technical foul called on Hartenstein after a scuffle with Bucks guard Andre Jackson Jr. Nonetheless, the Thunder managed to stay within striking distance, outscoring Milwaukee 22-24 in the second quarter.
The Thunder came out strong to start the game, jumping to a 16-9 lead, forcing a quick Milwaukee timeout after just 4 1/2 minutes of play. However, Lillard responded with seven quick points, sparking a 13-4 Bucks run to take their first lead of the game at 3:26 left in the first quarter. Oklahoma City regained a narrow 28-27 lead heading into the second period, thanks to a clutch 3-pointer from Gilgeous-Alexander in the final minute.
Shooting Woes for Oklahoma City
The Thunder’s offensive struggles were evident throughout the game. Oklahoma City shot just 29-of-86 (33.7%) from the field and an abysmal 5-of-32 (15.6%) from three-point range, which ultimately proved costly. Their inability to capitalize on open looks from deep and finish around the rim allowed Milwaukee to dominate the glass, where the Bucks outrebounded the Thunder 52-43.
Despite the poor shooting performance, Oklahoma City fought valiantly and remained within striking distance for much of the contest. However, the combination of Antetokounmpo’s size, skill, and the Bucks’ defensive efficiency proved too much for the Thunder to overcome.
Final Stats
Milwaukee shot 34-of-81 (42%) from the field, including 17-of-40 (42.5%) from beyond the arc. In addition to their rebounding edge, the Bucks’ offensive execution and defensive intensity were key factors in the eventual 16-point margin of victory.
With the win, Milwaukee joins the Los Angeles Lakers in the history books as NBA Cup champions, and their performance in the final will surely be remembered as one of the most dominant in tournament history.
As for Oklahoma City, despite the loss, they showed resilience and growth throughout the tournament, and their young core — led by Gilgeous-Alexander, Williams, and Hartenstein — will continue to develop as they set their sights on the upcoming NBA season.
