NBA: Antetokounmpo delivers triple-double to help Bucks win NBA Cup

Giannis Antetokounmpo tallied a triple-double with 26 points, 19 rebounds and 10 assists and the Milwaukee Bucks made 17 3-pointers in a 97-81 victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder on Tuesday night to win the NBA Cup.

Damian Lillard had 23 points with five 3-pointers and Brook Lopez and Gary Trent Jr. each added 13 points for the Bucks, who joined the Los Angeles Lakers as the only champions of the 2-year-old event.

A 19-5 Milwaukee run in the second half turned what was a five-point game into a 19-point lead early in the fourth, and the Bucks kept control the rest of the way.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 21 points and Jalen Williams added 18 for the Thunder, who had scored at least 99 points in every game this season. But they were outscored 51-15 from beyond the arc and shot just 34 percent from the field.

It’s a game that only counted for tournament purposes. There was about $300,000 in additional bonus money for Bucks players - they got $514,971 apiece, while the Thunder players got $205,988 each - but the win, the loss and the statistics from the game won’t count toward the regular season.

Mired toward the bottom of the NBA after a 2-8 start, the Bucks have been on a tear since. This was their 13th win in their last 16 games, even though it won't be part of the official record.

Quest for the Cup complete. pic.twitter.com/cVgT61eWgx

— Milwaukee Bucks (@Bucks) December 18, 2024