Milwaukee Bucks Secure Emirates NBA Cup Title with Defensive Masterclass Against OKC Thunder

The second edition of the NBA Emirates Cup has officially wrapped up, and the Milwaukee Bucks have etched their name in the history books as champions. With a commanding 97-81 victory over a spirited young OKC Thunder team, the Bucks showcased their experience and grit to lift the coveted trophy.

Going into the final, the Bucks were on a 6-0 run in the competition. But despite their dominant route to the final, the OKC Thunders were considered the favorites due to their stellar regular season performances and a more well-rounded squad. However, Giannis & Co. turned the tables with a near perfect performance in the final. Giannis ended the match with a triple-double, racking up 26 points, 19 rebounds and 10 assists. Meanwhile, Damian Lillard pitched in with 23 points, 4 assists and 4 rebounds. The Bucks’ triumph in the NBA Emirates Cup capped an impressive 7-0 run in the tournament, which has reaffirmed their status as serious contenders in the Eastern Conference. After a sluggish start to the season, Milwaukee has turned things around in dramatic fashion, winning 14 of their last 20 games to climb to a 14-11 record and reestablish themselves on the right side of the standings. While Tuesday’s win doesn’t count toward the regular-season standings, it’s a statement victory for a Bucks squad that many had prematurely dismissed as pretenders. 

Doc Rivers’ squad clinched the NBA Cup with a masterclass in stifling defense, perfectly paired with Damian Lillard’s sharpshooting. Dame was on fire, hitting 6-of-12 from the field and a lethal 5-of-10 from beyond the arc. Meanwhile, the OKC Thunder endured one of their toughest shooting nights of the season. Milwaukee’s defense held them to a dismal 33.7% from the field and an abysmal 15.6% (5-of-32) from deep. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander carried the Thunder in scoring but had one of his least efficient outings of the season. He went 8-of-24 from the field and managed just 2-of-9 from three. Adding to OKC’s woes, their bench failed to provide much-needed support, leaving them exposed. With the Bucks locking things down defensively and capitalizing on OKC’s cold shooting, the result was a commanding blowout win for the Milwaukee Bucks. 

Having said that, the first half was anything but a blowout. Oklahoma City came out strong, edging Milwaukee 28-27 in the opening quarter. The Bucks responded in the second, taking a slim 51-50 lead into halftime, setting the stage for what looked like a nail-biter. Then came the third quarter, and the Bucks flipped the script. Back-to-back threes from Taurean Prince and Damian Lillard sparked a surge that put Milwaukee firmly in control. They dominated the third with a 26-14 run, shifting the momentum entirely. By the fourth quarter, the Bucks were unstoppable, maintaining their intensity and leaving OKC in the dust to secure a convincing victory.