Milwaukee Bucks Dominate Oklahoma City Thunder to Win Second Annual NBA Cup
The second annual NBA Cup concluded with the Milwaukee Bucks claiming the championship by defeating the Oklahoma City Thunder 97-81 in a one-sided final on Tuesday in Las Vegas. Compared to last year’s inaugural In-Season Tournament — which felt less fully developed — this year’s NBA Cup came into its own, as teams better understood the point-differential tiebreakers and embraced the significance of the competition despite concerns about potential long-term downsides.
This year’s final featured a showdown between Giannis Antetokounmpo (the Bucks) and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (the Thunder), two of the NBA's MVP frontrunners. Antetokounmpo would ultimately take home NBA Cup MVP honors in a dominant performance that underscored his leadership and skill.
Let’s break down the highlights, superlatives, and key moments from this year’s journey to the NBA Cup crown.
MVP: Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks
Antetokounmpo’s performance was nothing short of spectacular throughout the knockout rounds. He averaged 31.7 points per game, narrowly missing a triple-double in the semifinal win over the Atlanta Hawks and recording a full triple-double in the championship game against the Thunder.
Beyond the numbers, Antetokounmpo brought the kind of elite defensive intensity expected of a player of his caliber. His fourth-quarter block against Trae Young in the semifinal was a standout moment, and against Oklahoma City, he totaled three blocks and two steals. His impact was undeniable, cementing his role as the MVP of this year’s NBA Cup.
All-NBA Cup Team
- Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks
- Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City Thunder
- Damian Lillard, Milwaukee Bucks
- Alperen Sengun, Houston Rockets
- Trae Young, Atlanta Hawks
Antetokounmpo and Gilgeous-Alexander were obvious selections, with Lillard securing his spot thanks to the Bucks’ dominant backcourt performance. Trae Young stood out in his role leading Atlanta to the semifinals with 24.2 PPG and 10.8 APG, while Sengun’s standout performance against the Golden State Warriors solidified his inclusion despite the Rockets’ overall lack of firepower.
The Bucks' duo of Antetokounmpo and Lillard combined to average nearly 60 points and over 16 assists per game during the tournament, proving key to Milwaukee’s success.
Coach of the Tournament: Doc Rivers, Milwaukee Bucks
Milwaukee wasn’t pushed through a gauntlet of difficult matchups on the way to the championship, but Doc Rivers' leadership was crucial. Not only did he maintain defensive improvements after a shaky defensive performance last season, but he also implemented a smart game plan in the final — focusing on packing the paint and daring OKC to win the game with jumpers. This strategy held the Thunder to 44% shooting inside the arc.
Darvin Ham deserves a mention here as well — his undefeated streak in NBA Cup games continues after leading the Los Angeles Lakers to last year’s title.
Biggest Coaching Misstep: Erik Spoelstra, Miami Heat
Spoelstra remains one of the NBA's most accomplished coaches, but a crucial mistake during the Heat's opening NBA Cup game against the Detroit Pistons proved costly. With Miami leading by two points in overtime, Spoelstra called a timeout that the Heat didn’t have, awarding Malik Beasley technical free throws and giving the Pistons the win.
This misstep meant Miami fell out of contention for advancement, ending their chances to use the NBA Cup as a momentum-building platform heading into the regular season.
Rookie of the NBA Cup: Jared McCain, Philadelphia 76ers
This year’s rookie race was a tough one, especially given the slow production of first-year players in the knockout stages. Jared McCain stood out by averaging 24.8 points per game in four group-stage games and drilling 18 three-pointers at a 51% clip. This performance solidified his spot as the NBA Cup’s top rookie, narrowly beating out Dalton Knecht of the Lakers, who shot a slightly better 54.5% but averaged fewer points overall.
Most Improved Team: Atlanta Hawks
Atlanta deserves recognition for their in-season turnaround after struggling in last year’s NBA Cup. Despite finishing at 1-3 a season ago, the Hawks advanced to the semifinals this year, led by Trae Young’s stellar averages of 24.2 PPG and 10.8 APG. Atlanta was a much stronger, more cohesive unit this time around — a noteworthy success story from group play through knockout stages.
Biggest Disappointment: Cleveland Cavaliers
The Cavaliers came into the NBA Cup with high expectations but fell short, finishing 2-2 in their group and missing the knockout rounds. Despite having one of the East's most impressive starts this season, Cleveland couldn’t capitalize on this opportunity to bring home a rare banner. Instead, their hopes shift back to the regular season for another shot at playoff glory.
Best Game: Golden State 120, Dallas 117
The first night of NBA Cup action gave fans an instant classic with Golden State and Dallas battling in a thrilling high-stakes matchup. Klay Thompson returned to Golden State for the first time since leaving for Dallas in a sign-and-trade, scoring 22 points on six three-pointers. Golden State rallied late, with Stephen Curry scoring all 12 of his points in the final 3:10 to lead them to the victory.
The dramatic finish and emotional reunion created a memorable moment that highlighted the NBA Cup’s entertainment value.
Most Disappointing Injury: Franz Wagner, Orlando Magic
Franz Wagner’s absence after suffering an oblique tear was a major blow to the Orlando Magic, who had emerged as one of the most compelling stories during group play. Wagner was arguably the MVP of the group stage, averaging 30.5 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 6.3 assists while stepping up in the absence of Paolo Banchero. His injury limited Orlando’s playoff hopes, as they fell 114-109 to the Milwaukee Bucks in the quarterfinals.
The NBA Cup’s second edition felt like a mature, established competition that successfully engaged teams and fans. The Bucks’ championship solidifies their position as one of the league's elite contenders, while standout individual performances and strategic triumphs made this year’s Cup unforgettable. As the NBA Cup continues, the competition’s blend of intrigue, star power, and intensity has already proven itself a staple on the league’s calendar.
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