NBA Cup Final: Where the Thunder Fell Short and Why the Bucks Are More Than Giannis

The Milwaukee Bucks claimed the NBA Cup with a dominant 97-81 victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder, a game that showcased the Bucks' depth and the sheer brilliance of Giannis Antetokounmpo. For the Thunder, it was a tale of two halves—competitive early, only to crumble in the latter stages. The game exposed their vulnerabilities and underscored why Milwaukee remains a championship contender.

Thunder’s Offense Goes Ice Cold

The Thunder started strong but couldn’t maintain their momentum. In the second half, Oklahoma City managed just 14 points in the third quarter and 17 in the fourth, combining for only 31 points—less than their typical output in a single quarter. This offensive drought was largely due to a disastrous shooting night from beyond the arc.

Oklahoma City shot a dismal 5-of-32 (15.6%) from three-point range. The first half was particularly brutal, as they connected on only 1-of-17 attempts. Many of these misses came from wide-open looks, which made the poor shooting even more costly. As a team known for its small-ball lineup and high-paced offense, three-point shooting is a cornerstone of the Thunder’s game plan. Last season, they led the league with a 38.9% clip from deep, and while they’ve regressed slightly to 35.1% this year, they remain heavily reliant on their perimeter game.

Facing a Bucks team with significantly greater size and defensive presence, Oklahoma City struggled to generate offense inside. Without a reliable post-up game and with their three-point shooting faltering, the Thunder were left with few options. As a result, a team that averages 115.6 points per game this season was held to just 81—a rarity for such a high-powered offense.

Stars Fall Short for Oklahoma City

The Thunder’s two stars, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Josh Giddey, had subpar performances when their team needed them most.

• Shai Gilgeous-Alexander: Shot 8-of-24 from the field and 2-of-9 from three-point range, finishing with 21 points, 4 rebounds, and 2 assists. He also committed three turnovers, struggling against Milwaukee’s defense.
• Josh Giddey: Scored 18 points on 8-of-20 shooting, including just 1-of-4 from deep, while adding 4 rebounds and 3 assists.

The supporting cast didn’t fare much better. Luguentz Dort, Isaiah Joe, Kenrich Williams, and Alex Caruso combined for just 2-of-19 from three-point range. Meanwhile, Aaron Wiggins and Cason Wallace failed to attempt a single three-pointer, leaving Oklahoma City’s offense completely out of sync.

The lone bright spot for the Thunder was Isaiah Hartenstein, who battled Milwaukee’s imposing frontcourt and finished with 16 points and 12 rebounds, including 14 points in the first half. Without his contributions, the game might have been out of reach by halftime.

Giannis Shines in MVP Duel

Giannis Antetokounmpo cemented his case as one of the league’s top MVP candidates with a performance that overshadowed Shai Gilgeous-Alexander in this marquee matchup. Giannis played 37 minutes, recording a triple-double with 26 points, 19 rebounds, and 10 assists, along with 3 blocks and 2 steals.

Offensively, Giannis was a nightmare for the Thunder. When double-teamed, he found open shooters or cutters; when left in single coverage, he overpowered Oklahoma City’s smaller defenders. Defensively, his impact was equally profound. He registered three highlight-reel blocks and anchored a Bucks defense that held the Thunder to just 17-of-39 shooting in the paint.

It was no surprise when Giannis was named NBA Cup MVP. Across six games, he averaged 31.4 points, 8.4 rebounds, 7.2 assists, 2.8 blocks, and 1 steal while shooting 66.7% from the field. With this accolade, Giannis adds the NBA Cup MVP to a growing list of career achievements that includes two regular-season MVPs, an NBA Finals MVP, and an All-Star Game MVP.

The Role of Damian Lillard

While Giannis remains the Bucks’ cornerstone, Damian Lillard’s contributions in the NBA Cup Final should not be overlooked. Lillard played 35 minutes, scoring 23 points on 6-of-12 shooting. He knocked down 5-of-10 three-pointers and was nearly automatic from the free-throw line, hitting 6-of-7.

Lillard’s ability to stretch the floor complemented Giannis perfectly. With Oklahoma City’s defense collapsing on Giannis in the paint, Lillard and Milwaukee’s shooters took full advantage. The Bucks hit 17-of-40 from beyond the arc, outscoring the Thunder by 36 points on three-pointers alone.

Lillard’s performance was a reminder of his offensive versatility. He thrives as both a primary scorer and a complementary piece. This season, he’s averaging 25.7 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 7.5 assists with shooting splits of 45.0% from the field, 37.1% from three, and 91.6% from the free-throw line. His seamless fit alongside Giannis has elevated Milwaukee’s offense to new heights.

Milwaukee’s Championship Aspirations

After a rocky 2-8 start to the season, the Bucks have turned things around, winning 12 of their last 15 games. They now find themselves among the league’s hottest teams, alongside contenders like the Celtics, Mavericks, and Thunder.

The Giannis-Lillard duo has silenced early doubts, proving to be one of the NBA’s most formidable partnerships. Giannis continues to dominate as a two-way force, while Lillard provides the scoring punch and perimeter threat the Bucks have long lacked.

Milwaukee’s depth also deserves recognition. Brook Lopez and Bobby Portis bolster their interior presence, while shooters like Malik Beasley and Pat Connaughton thrive off the attention drawn by Giannis and Lillard.

Darvin Ham’s Coaching Prowess

Head coach Darvin Ham has now guided two different teams to back-to-back NBA Cup titles. Last season, he led the Lakers to a perfect 7-0 record in the midseason tournament. This year, he replicated that feat with Milwaukee.

Ham’s ability to maximize his rosters’ strengths and adapt to different opponents has been a key factor in his success. His work with the Bucks further solidifies his reputation as one of the league’s top coaches.

Looking Ahead

With the NBA Cup trophy in hand and their season back on track, the Bucks are once again serious contenders for the NBA title. Giannis and Lillard have found their rhythm, and the team’s depth and defensive prowess make them a nightmare matchup for any opponent.

For the Thunder, this loss serves as a stark reminder of the work that lies ahead. They’ll need to address their shooting woes and find ways to compete against the league’s elite if they hope to join the upper echelon of contenders.