The Milwaukee Bucks win the Commissioner’s Cup. When Damian Lillard joined the Bucks, NBA fans definitively envisioned them holding up a trophy, but no one imagined it would be the Tournament Cup Title. The Emirates NBA Cup, won by the Bucks, marks at least some level of success for the very talented roster that most believe can win an NBA title.
The Bucks went into this game as favorites, at least in my eyes, and little after halftime, there was no doubt who would win as the Bucks jumped out to a double-digit lead pretty early in the contest and never relinquished it. Milwaukee dominated behind Giannis Antetokounmpo’s incredible performance, finishing with 26 points, 19 rebounds, and 10 assists – a triple-double that underlined his ability to take over games when it matters most. He got support from Damian Lillard, who added 23 points and 4 assists, efficiently leading the Bucks’ offense. Brook Lopez chipped in with 13 points and 9 rebounds, providing a strong defensive presence as well.
On the other hand, the Oklahoma City Thunder, a team right on the brink of winning something big, simply couldn’t match Milwaukee’s star power. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the Thunder with 21 points, but his efforts weren’t enough as OKC struggled to find consistent scoring elsewhere. The Thunder managed only 14 points in the third quarter, which allowed the Bucks to extend their lead and control the pace for the remainder of the game. Isaiah Hartenstein was a bright spot with 16 points and 12 rebounds, showing resilience in the paint.
Similar to the New Orleans Pelicans last year, the Thunder have the foundation to be a championship contender, but elite star power, like that of Giannis and Lillard, is hard to overcome when something that matters is on the line.
Last year, LeBron James and the Lakers proved that this tournament matters to NBA players. The celebration that ensued right after the final buzzer and the pure joy on the Bucks players’ faces made it evident to all watching: outsiders may downplay this tournament if they like, but it matters to the players. And it’s starting to matter to NBA fans as well.
With this 97-81 victory over the Thunder, the Bucks send a clear message that they can win when the stakes are high, adding another accolade to their growing list. The road to an NBA title is long, but this Commissioner’s Cup win gives the Bucks a taste of triumph and a boost of confidence as they continue their season.
