With a monumental performance from Greek star Giannis Antetokounmpo, the Milwaukee Bucks defeated the Oklahoma City Thunder 97-81 this Tuesday to claim the NBA Cup title at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. Each player on the championship team will receive a $514,000 bonus.

Antetokounmpo shone with a triple-double of 26 points, 19 rebounds, and 10 assists, leading his team to a new trophy, their first since winning the NBA championship in 2021.

The Bucks' Dominance

In the presence of legends like former swimmer Michael Phelps and NBA icons Ray Allen and Oscar Robertson, the Bucks outperformed the Thunder. Damian Lillard contributed 23 points (including five three-pointers), along with four rebounds and four assists.

The Thunder struggled with poor shooting efficiency, managing just 33.7% from the field and 15.6% from beyond the arc. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander tried to lead his team with 21 points (8 of 24 from the field), while Jalen Williams added 18 points and Isaiah Hartenstein posted a double-double with 16 points and 12 rebounds. However, their efforts were not enough to match the physicality and experience of the Bucks.

The Thunder started the game strong, with Gilgeous-Alexander and Hartenstein combining for 10 points in the first quarter. However, their three-point shooting woes continued throughout the first half, making just one of 17 attempts. Meanwhile, the Bucks capitalized on the physical dominance of Giannis and Brook López in the paint, complemented by the long-range shooting of Lillard and AJ Green.

The Bucks opened the third quarter with consecutive three-pointers from Lillard and Taurean Prince, extending their lead to 64-53. Giannis, unstoppable on both ends of the court, delivered a spectacular block on Alex Caruso, while Gary Trent Jr. followed with another three-pointer to widen the gap.

Giannis: Undisputed MVP

With 12 points and nine rebounds in the third quarter alone, Giannis continued to dominate. His brother, Thanasis Antetokounmpo, celebrated every highlight play from the front row. The Thunder, one of the youngest franchises in the NBA, couldn’t recover.

In the final minutes, Damian Lillard punished the Thunder from beyond the arc, and Giannis solidified his dominance with a monumental block on Hartenstein, leaving the score at 94-75 with three minutes remaining. Amid chants of "MVP," Giannis exited the game with 1:37 left, sealing the victory for the Bucks.

A Historic Title for the Bucks and Giannis

Giannis Antetokounmpo was named MVP of the NBA Cup after leading the Milwaukee Bucks to victory in the final against the Oklahoma City Thunder. This title marks the second major trophy of his NBA career, alongside the 2021 championship ring.

The Greek star, who has also won two regular-season MVP awards and was the 2021 Finals MVP, expressed his pride in the team:
"It’s fantastic to play these games. Over the last 15 games, we have competed and trusted ourselves. I’m so proud of this team. After halftime, we knew there were 24 minutes left; we came out to compete and set the pace. This is who we are. The work isn’t done yet. We’re going to keep growing because the work isn’t done," he said in his postgame interview.

The NBA Cup is another milestone in the stellar career of Giannis Antetokounmpo and a significant achievement for the Milwaukee Bucks in cementing their legacy.