The Milwaukee Bucks claimed the 2024 NBA Cup with a dominant 97-81 win over the Oklahoma City Thunder in the final, marking their 13th win in 16 games. Giannis Antetokounmpo, named NBA Cup MVP, put on a spectacular performance, recording a 26-point, 19-rebound, 10-assist triple-double. His all-around play, including three blocks and two steals, was instrumental in securing the victory. Damian Lillard added 23 points, continuing his strong partnership with Antetokounmpo.
Here are some of the standout winners and losers from this year’s NBA Cup:
Winner: Giannis Antetokounmpo
In the six games of the NBA Cup, Antetokounmpo averaged 30.5 points, 10.2 rebounds, 7.7 assists, 2.8 blocks, and 1.2 steals while shooting 66.7% from the field. His dominance this season, which includes leading the league with 32.7 points per game, has positioned him as a strong MVP candidate once again.
Loser: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s Performance
OKC’s MVP candidate, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, struggled in the final, scoring just 21 points on 8-for-24 shooting, including 2-for-9 from three. The Bucks’ defense, particularly their size, neutralized him, limiting his ability to impact the game.
Winner: Damian Lillard and Giannis Antetokounmpo Combo
Together, Lillard and Antetokounmpo have formed the highest-scoring duo in the NBA, averaging 58.4 points per game. Lillard contributed 15 points from three-point range, helping the Bucks’ offense explode. This dynamic partnership is already showing the immense potential the Bucks hoped for when they acquired Lillard.
Winner: Milwaukee Bucks
The Bucks’ turnaround from a 2-8 start to a championship is impressive. Their win in the NBA Cup has propelled them to sixth place in the Eastern Conference, and they are only 1½ games behind the third-place New York Knicks. Lillard emphasized that the team’s early struggles do not define them, and the Bucks’ future looks bright if they continue to build on this momentum.
Loser: Oklahoma City Thunder
Despite having an MVP candidate in Gilgeous-Alexander and a strong roster, the Thunder’s offense faltered in the Cup final. Their second-half performance, scoring just 31 points and only 14 in the third quarter, made it impossible to challenge the Bucks. However, with Chet Holmgren returning later this season, the Thunder remain a team to watch in the Western Conference.
Winner: Milwaukee’s Three-Point Shooting
The Bucks excelled beyond the arc, hitting 17 of 40 three-pointers (42.5%). Their perimeter shooting, led by Lillard, was a major factor in their dominant win. The Bucks are third in the league in three-point shooting percentage and have five players who contributed multiple threes in the final.
Winner: Darvin Ham and Taurean Prince
Assistant coach Darvin Ham, who was undefeated in NBA Cup play with the Los Angeles Lakers in 2023, continued his streak with the Bucks. Ham, alongside reserve player Taurean Prince, played a key role in the Bucks’ success, going 14-0 in Cup games over the past two years.
Loser: Thunder’s Three-Point Shooting
OKC’s three-point shooting was abysmal in the final, with the team shooting just 5-for-32 (15.2%). Their poor performance from deep, including a scoreless second quarter, contributed heavily to their defeat. With a need to improve in this area, the Thunder will look to adjust their shooting for future matchups.
Winner: NBA Cup
The NBA Cup continues to gain relevance as a key event on the league’s calendar. With competitive games and heightened intensity, the tournament is gaining traction among players and fans alike. Antetokounmpo praised the atmosphere in Las Vegas, adding that the excitement surrounding the Cup bodes well for its future.
2024 NBA Cup Biggest Winners and Losers
Winner: Fans of Early-Season Intensity This year’s NBA Cup showed increased intensity, even during the regular season. Players were more engaged, knowing there was significant money and bragging rights on the line. The competition added a fresh layer to the season, which could benefit the league long-term.
Loser: Casual Fans’ Experience The integration of the Cup into the regular season schedule confused some fans. The NBA could improve the event by creating a more distinct timeframe for the Cup and adjusting the courts’ aesthetics to be less overwhelming. Additionally, improving coverage of lesser-known teams and stars would likely help the league grow its fan base.
Winner: Point Differential Using point differential as a tiebreaker in the Cup kept games more competitive throughout the tournament. It added excitement even to lopsided matches, encouraging teams to fight hard until the final buzzer.
Loser: Pelicans and Pacers Both the New Orleans Pelicans and Indiana Pacers, who made a strong showing in last year’s tournament, had disappointing runs in 2024. With a combined 1-7 record in Cup games, these young teams will need to regroup and focus on development.
Winner: Hawks and Rockets The Atlanta Hawks and Houston Rockets may not have made it to the final, but their young cores gained invaluable experience from playing in high-stakes games. Both teams are built around future stars and will continue to develop from their Cup runs.
The 2024 NBA Cup has proven to be a thrilling and competitive event, with moments of brilliance from both superstars and emerging talents. With more teams and players buying into the excitement, the tournament is set to grow in significance in the years to come.
