{"id":26215,"date":"2025-12-17T00:25:58","date_gmt":"2025-12-17T04:25:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.red94.net\/news\/nba-cup-giannis-and-bucks-dominated-thunder-97-81-to-claim-2024-championship-in-vegas-but-the-real-story-behind-their-three-point-barrage-changes-everything\/"},"modified":"2025-12-17T00:26:22","modified_gmt":"2025-12-17T04:26:22","slug":"97140-nba-cup-giannis-and-bucks-dominated-thunder-97-81-to-claim-2024-championship-in","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.red94.net\/news\/97140-nba-cup-giannis-and-bucks-dominated-thunder-97-81-to-claim-2024-championship-in\/","title":{"rendered":"NBA Cup: Giannis and Bucks dominated Thunder 97-81 to claim 2024 championship in Vegas, but the real story behind their three-point barrage changes everything"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Milwaukee Bucks<\/b> claimed the 2024 NBA Cup championship<\/b> with a dominant 97-81 victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder<\/b> on December 17, 2025, at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas<\/b>. Giannis Antetokounmpo<\/b> delivered a masterclass with a triple-double to seal the second edition<\/b> of the tournament, cementing the Bucks as one of the NBA’s most formidable teams.<\/p>\n

\n

\ud83d\udd25 Quick Facts<\/h3>\n
    \n
  • Final Score:<\/b> Milwaukee Bucks 97, Oklahoma City Thunder 81<\/li>\n
  • Location:<\/b> T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada<\/b><\/li>\n
  • Giannis MVP Stats:<\/b> 26 points, 19 rebounds, 10 assists (triple-double)<\/li>\n
  • Bucks Three-Pointers:<\/b> 17 made from beyond the arc to dominate Thunder defense<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n

    Giannis Leads Historic Championship Run<\/h2>\n

    Giannis Antetokounmpo<\/b> absolutely controlled the NBA Cup final, posting his second straight triple-double to earn tournament MVP honors<\/b>. The Greek star finished with 26 points, 19 rebounds, and 10 assists<\/b>, combining offensive firepower with elite playmaking in the clutch moments.<\/p>\n

    The Bucks finished the entire tournament with a perfect 7-0 record<\/b>, showcasing how well coach Doc Rivers<\/b> had coordinated the team’s offensive and defensive schemes. Damian Lillard<\/b> supported Antetokounmpo with 23 points<\/b> and 5 three-pointers<\/b>, proving the Bucks’ dynamic backcourt could execute under championship pressure.<\/p>\n

    Three-Point Barrage Silences Thunder Offense<\/h2>\n

    The Bucks connected on a remarkable 17 three-pointers<\/b> on their way to dismantling the Thunder’s defense. The three-ball became Milwaukee’s secret weapon, with Brook Lopez<\/b> draining multiple shots from distance and role players stepping up in critical stretches.<\/p>\n

    Oklahoma City’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander<\/b> scored 21 points<\/b> but couldn’t generate enough offensive momentum against the Bucks’ intense perimeter defense. The second half proved particularly challenging for the Thunder, as Milwaukee’s bench unit maintained the dominant pace established by the starters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n
    Team<\/td>\nFinal Score<\/td>\nThree-Pointers<\/td>\nMVP<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Milwaukee Bucks<\/b><\/td>\n97<\/b><\/td>\n17 made<\/td>\nGiannis<\/b> (26\/19\/10)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Oklahoma City Thunder<\/b><\/td>\n81<\/b><\/td>\nLimited attempts<\/td>\nShai<\/b> (21 points)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n

    Milwaukee’s Second NBA Cup Crown Cements Legacy<\/h2>\n

    The 2024 NBA Cup title<\/b> marks a significant achievement for the Bucks franchise. Coach Doc Rivers<\/b> transformed the roster midseason, and the team’s undefeated tournament run proved the investment paid immediate dividends heading into the crucial second half of the season.<\/p>\n

    Damian Lillard<\/b> and Giannis Antetokounmpo<\/b> were named to the All-Tournament team<\/b>, underscoring their dominance throughout the competition. For Lillard specifically, winning the NBA Cup in his first season with the franchise represents a redemptive moment after injuries plagued his previous campaigns.<\/p>\n

    Thunder’s Defensive Struggles Against Elite Bucks Offense<\/h2>\n

    Oklahoma City entered the championship as one of the league’s most impressive defensive units, but Dallas’s basketball blueprint proved impossible to execute against Milwaukee’s versatile scorers<\/b>. The Thunder couldn’t effectively contain the Bucks’ pick-and-roll game or their ability to spread the floor with multiple shooters.<\/p>\n

    Shai Gilgeous-Alexander<\/b> labored against Wisconsin’s relentless defensive pressure, forcing difficult shot selections. The Thunder’s bench<\/b> failed to provide the offensive spark necessary to challenge the Bucks’ lead in the final quarter, ultimately settling for the tournament’s runner-up finish.<\/p>\n

    What Does This Championship Mean for the Rest of the NBA Season?<\/h2>\n

    The Bucks’ dominant championship performance sends a powerful message to NBA title contenders about their championship legitimacy. With Giannis operating at MVP caliber<\/b> and Lillard providing star-level support<\/b>, Milwaukee possesses the offensive firepower and defensive versatility to compete for a Finals championship<\/b> later this season.<\/p>\n

    The $530,933 bonus per player<\/b> that comes with NBA Cup victory serves as additional motivation, but the real prize is momentum heading into a crucial stretch. The Bucks’ undefeated 7-0 tournament record<\/b> demonstrated their ability to execute coach Doc Rivers’ system<\/b> consistently, a requirement for sustained playoff success when stakes escalate.<\/p>\n

    \n“Everyone has a lucky number in Las Vegas. For the Milwaukee Bucks, it was 3.”\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

    \u2014 Associated Press Sports Writer<\/b>, AP Basketball<\/p>\n

    Sources<\/h3>\n
      \n
    • ESPN<\/b> – Coverage of Bucks’ dominant championship victory and Giannis’ MVP performance<\/li>\n
    • NBA.com<\/b> – Official statistics and All-Tournament team selections<\/li>\n
    • NBC Sports<\/b> – Game analysis and Thunder’s second-half defensive collapse<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":20,"featured_media":26214,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"schema_org_data":"{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"Giannis Antetokounmpo\",\"image\":\"https:\/\/image.tmdb.org\/t\/p\/w500\/hocbI832rEqhu6mbPsj1bSApEbe.jpg\",\"sameAs\":[\"https:\/\/www.themoviedb.org\/person\/2341898\"]},{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"Damian Lillard\",\"image\":\"https:\/\/image.tmdb.org\/t\/p\/w500\/vON4oymQinw0yW3oEw2b7LEfZU6.jpg\",\"sameAs\":[\"https:\/\/www.themoviedb.org\/person\/2343023\"]},{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"Brook Lopez\",\"sameAs\":[\"https:\/\/www.themoviedb.org\/person\/4692795\"]},{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"Shai 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