Milwaukee Bucks' Incredible Turnaround: NBA Cup Champion After 2-8 Start
From 2-8 to NBA Cup champs! The Bucks defeat the Thunder 97-81, capping an incredible turnaround season
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Las Vegas, NV – From a dismal 2-8 start to the season, the Milwaukee Bucks have completed an improbable turnaround, capturing the 2024 NBA Cup title with a dominant 97-81 victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder on Tuesday night. This championship run caps an incredible resurgence for a team that once found itself at the bottom of the Eastern Conference.
Giannis Antetokounmpo led the charge with a stellar triple-double, racking up 26 points, 19 rebounds, and 10 assists. This performance solidified his status as a key player in the Bucks' success. Damian Lillard contributed significantly with 23 points, while Brook Lopez and Gary Trent Jr. each added 13 points to the scoreboard. The Bucks’ sharp shooting from beyond the arc was a key factor, sinking 17 three-pointers compared to the Thunder’s mere five.
The Bucks seized control of the game with a 19-5 run in the second half, extending a five-point lead to a commanding 19-point advantage early in the fourth quarter. The Thunder struggled to close the gap, ultimately falling short.
"This is amazing, amazing for our team," Antetokounmpo said, as quoted on the official NBA website. "We kept getting better. We knew we were leaving Vegas a better team. I’m so proud of this group. So proud.”
Antetokounmpo echoed this sentiment, emphasising the team's ongoing ambitions: "Our job is not done," he succinctly declared.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the Thunder's scoring efforts with 21 points, followed by Jalen Williams with 18 points, and Isaiah Hartenstein, who recorded a double-double with 16 points and 12 rebounds. However, the Thunder struggled to find their rhythm, shooting only 34% from the field and significantly underperforming from three-point range.
While this game doesn't count towards the regular season standings, the victory comes with a significant financial bonus: each Bucks player will receive $514,971, while the Thunder players will take home $205,988.
This championship marks a continuation of the Bucks' impressive turnaround after a rocky start to the season. While this game doesn't count towards the regular season standings, the victory comes with a significant financial bonus: each Bucks player will receive $514,971, a sweet reward after enduring a tough start to the season that saw them languishing with a 2-8 record.
Bucks head coach Doc Rivers praised his team's resilience and hard work. “We had a rough start to the season, but no one doubted who we were and what we could achieve. We stuck together, we kept working, and this is the result. This is the result of hard work together, but there’s still a lot of work to do,” he stated.
Stats (Key Players):
Milwaukee Bucks:
Giannis Antetokounmpo: 26 points, 19 rebounds, 10 assists
Damian Lillard: 23 points
Brook Lopez: 13 points
Gary Trent Jr.: 13 points
Oklahoma City Thunder:
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander: 21 points
Jalen Williams: 18 points
Isaiah Hartenstein: 16 points, 12 rebounds
The Milwaukee Bucks now join the Los Angeles Lakers as NBA Cup champions in the tournament’s two-year history. This title sends a clear message: the Bucks remain a dominant force in the league.