Image Credit: Kyle Terada-Imagn Images

Top 3 Plays from Bucks vs Thunder 2024 NBA Cup final

It was an intense game between the Bucks and Thunder on Monday night.

Image Credit: Kyle Terada-Imagn Images

With only one matchup on Tuesday night, the NBA gave us a cracking dose of entertainment through the final of the 2024 NBA Cup. Riding on an impressive triple-double from Giannis Antetokounmpo and a dominant show in three-point range, the Milwaukee Bucks secured a 97-82 win over the Oklahoma City Thunder.

The NBA Cup MVP, Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 26 points, 19 rebounds, and 10 assists while Damian Lillard added 23 points. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led Thunder with 21 points while Isaiah Hartenstein had 14 points and 7 rebounds.

So let’s dive into the top three plays from this game:

1. Antetokounmpo’s alley-oop dunk shot

Giannis Antetokounmpo didn’t start for the Bucks in the second quarter. He entered the game for Bobby Portis at the 7:34 mark. With 4:13 left in the game, Giannis made a 2-foot alley-oop dunk shot through Taurean Prince’s assist to reduce the deficit to one point.

Bucks went on to 12-4 run through Antetokounmpo’s 8 points. He helped the Bucks to a 51-50 half-time with 14 points, six rebounds and five assists.

UP TO GIANNIS 😲

He's got 12. Bucks trail by 1.

🏆 #EmiratesNBACup Championship
📺 MIL-OKC on ABC pic.twitter.com/fJ9fveQ1Aq
— NBA (@NBA) December 18, 2024

2. Damian Lillard’s step back jumper

OKC Thunder kept their defence tight in the opening half and entered into 2nd quarter with a 27-28 lead. Damian Lillard helped the Bucks to take the first lead in the second period with a 23-foot three-point step-back jump shot.

Lillard created a space, dribbled towards Jalen Williams and quickly stepped back to make a jump shot. However, Thunder had an 11-2 run to turn the 5-point deficit into a 4-point lead.

Dame 3 from a tough angle!

He's got 12 PTS early 2nd quarter in the #EmiratesNBACup Championship on ABC 🏆 pic.twitter.com/ZLciDOgfLE
— NBA (@NBA) December 18, 2024

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3. Antetokounmpo blocks Alex Caruso

Giannis Antetokounmpo replicated what he did with Jalen Suggs in the quarterfinal game. It was one of the best blocks in the NBA Cup. Isaiah Hartenstein’s shooting foul allowed Giannis to make two free throws to stretch the lead to 10 points.

Giannis SWAT. ❌

He's doing it all right now as the Bucks take a 13-point lead into the 4th…

🏆 #EmiratesNBACup Championship
📺 MIL/OKC on ABC pic.twitter.com/2uAOfN0sd6
— NBA (@NBA) December 18, 2024

With 1:38 left in the third quarter, Alex Caruso was looking to make a 3-foot driving layup but Antetokounmpo blocked it. Thunder missed five straight shots and committed multiple turnovers in the third. The ‘Greek Freak’ added five points, five rebounds and three assists midway through the third quarter.

Image Credit: Kyle Terada-Imagn Images

Damian Lillard

Giannis Antetokounmpo

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Gulshan Sharma

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A native of Jaipur, Rajasthan, journalist, and a complete soccer and basketball fan, he found the huge interest with basketball by watching videos of Allen Iverson and Tony Parker, but fell head over heels in love with the sport during the Warriors’ championship era (2015-2018). A sports game addict since his late PS1, he’s also passionate about the Eagles, Inter Miami and the Fever. He’s fortunate to have seen all his favorite teams win championships. He also has a special love for cricket and football (soccer), where he is a fan of Royal Challengers Bangalore and Barcelona.