Giannis Leads Bucks To NBA Cup Final As Thunder Await.
Giannis Antetokounmpo delivered a commanding performance, scoring 32 points and collecting 14 rebounds, as the Milwaukee Bucks defeated the Atlanta Hawks 110-102 to secure a place in the NBA Cup final.
The Bucks will meet the Oklahoma City Thunder in the final on Tuesday (01:30 GMT, Wednesday) in Las Vegas, after Shai Gilgeous-Alexander also scored 32 points in Oklahoma’s 111-96 victory over the Houston Rockets.
Antetokounmpo, who leads the NBA in scoring this season, contributed nine assists, four blocks, and a steal, showcasing his all-around dominance. Damian Lillard added 25 points, while Brook Lopez chipped in with 16. Trae Young led Atlanta’s effort with 35 points, 10 assists, and seven rebounds.
Reflecting on the win, Antetokounmpo praised his team’s collective effort, saying, “We were able to disrupt their offence. We were moving the ball, playing team basketball, getting to our spots, knocking down a few shots down the stretch. That’s why we were able to get the win. We trust one another. We play together. There’s no more hero ball.”
The Bucks’ victory gives them an opportunity to redeem themselves after falling short in the semi-finals of last season’s inaugural NBA in-season tournament. Milwaukee, who started the season with just two wins from their first 10 games, have now won 12 of their last 15 matches, showing significant improvement.
In the Western Conference semi-final, Canadian guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander played a decisive role for Oklahoma City, scoring 32 points while adding eight rebounds, six assists, and five steals. The Thunder delivered an impressive second-half display to overpower Houston and cement their place in the final.
Gilgeous-Alexander emphasised the team’s focus on defence and unity, stating, “I just wanted to be aggressive through all the ups and downs, highs and lows, and it paid off. Hopefully, we can do the same thing on Tuesday. If we play defence, we give ourselves a chance every night. We just have to play hard, play together, and have fun.”
The stage is now set for an exciting NBA Cup final in Las Vegas, where two of the league’s in-form teams will battle for the coveted trophy.
