The Milwaukee Bucks captured the NBA Cup title on Tuesday night by defeating the Oklahoma City Thunder 97-81 in Las Vegas. The Thunder struggled to find answers for the duo of Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard, but their real problem was that they couldn’t score enough points to stay in the game. Oklahoma City managed just 33.7% of its shots from the floor and hit just 5 of 32 attempts from long range. This lack of offensive rhythm sealed their fate against a quality Bucks team.

For Milwaukee, this win was the culmination of an incredible NBA Cup journey. Let’s not forget that they started the season 1-6 before completely flipping the script. The Bucks are currently 14-11 and have the wind at their backs as 2024 approaches. Securing the NBA Cup feels like the perfect momentum for a team that has overcome early struggles to get back on track.

Celebration is the order of the day.

But they couldn’t do that before the cup. When asked about the most important takeaways for his Bucks team from the NBA Cup in Las Vegas, Doc Rivers responded with a grin“Play together. Go in at night – don’t drink…”

The comment sparked laughter all around. He added with a laugh: “I just had to say that. But hey, it’s true.”

Sin City and no alcohol? It’s tough, but none of that matters because now they’re going to celebrate or not because Doc Rivers wants the Bucks to stay alcohol-free.

Giannis Antetokounmpo’s performance is helping the Bucks in their turnaround

In Las Vegas, where luck and skill collide, the Bucks won the NBA Cup with a 97:81 victory over OKC. Their three-point shooting proved unstoppable and the Thunder found no answer.

Giannis dominated the evening with a stunning triple-double – 26 points, 19 rebounds and 10 assists. Lillard wasn’t far behind, dropping 23 points while the Bucks fired 17 shots from long range. Brook Lopez and Gary Trent Jr. each scored 13 points while a decisive 19-5 second-half run turned a close game into a resounding win.

The Thunder couldn’t get their offense going, shooting 34% from the field and making just 5 of 32 from three. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led OKC with 21 points while Jalen Williams added 18 points, but their struggles from distance sealed their fate.

For the Bucks, this victory was the icing on the cake of an incredible turnaround. They started the season 2-8 but have since picked up 13 wins in their last 16 games. Their undefeated streak in this year’s NBA Cup (7-0) gives them tremendous momentum.

And let’s not forget the cash prize: $514,971 for each buck, while the Thunder players took home $205,988. But for Milwaukee, it’s about more than just money – it’s a statement. As Giannis celebrated on the bench toward the end of the game, you could tell that this win meant everything.