Adam Silver and National Basketball Association wanted to spark some change and excitement into the league so they went to work. Their brainstorming sessions resulted in the NBA Cup.
This in-season tournament resulted in some changes that involved new court designs and a championship game that did not go toward the team’s regular season record. The semifinals and the finals were also played at a neutral site.
On Tuesday evening, Milwaukee Bucks defeated Oklahoma City Thunder, 97-81, in front of 18,519 fans at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
Bucks were not the only ones earning some hardware as their superstar player Giannis Antetokounmpo added a NBA Cup MVP to his shelves. Antetokounmpo stamped his NBA Cup run with a triple-double in the championship game. He had 26 points (10-19 FG, 6-11 FT) with 19 rebounds (four offensive), 10 assists, two steals, three blocks, four turnovers, and a +14 plus-minus in 37 minutes on the court.
Damian Lillard followed behind their superstar with 23 of his own points. Brook Lopez had a near double-double with 13 points and nine rebounds. Tied in points with Lopez was Pat Connaughton who had 13 off the bench.
Bucks secured their victory going on a 19-5 runs extending a five point lead in the final minutes of the third quarter to 19 a few minutes into the fourth.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the Thunder with 21 points while Jalen Williams had 18 points.
Isaiah Hartenstein had 16 points and 12 rebounds.
Each teams players do walk away with a little more cash in their pockets. The losing team’s players on NBA contracts earn $205,988 apiece while each Bucks player will get $514,971 a piece.
Last season, Los Angeles Lakers won the inaugural NBA Cup with LeBron James winning MVP. Lakers then-head coach Darvin Ham was let go at the end of the 2023-2024. Ham was scooped up by the Milwaukee Bucks before this season to be an assistant to Doc Rivers. This makes him a two-time NBA champion as well as Bucks starter Taurean Prince.
Only time will tell how people truly perceive this in-season tourney and its overall impact on the game and its history.
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