Antetokounmpo Says Job's Not Done Yet After Reaching NBA Cup Final

Photo: Instagram/@giannis_an34

Giannis Antetokounmpo led the Milwaukee Bucks to a dominant victory on Saturday, pushing them into the Emirates NBA Cup final. The Bucks defeated the Atlanta Hawks 110-102, with Antetokounmpo scoring 32 points and grabbing 14 rebounds. He also had nine assists, four blocks, and a steal, shooting 10-of-15 from the floor and 12-of-18 from the free-throw line. The Bucks will now face the Oklahoma City Thunder in the final on Tuesday in Las Vegas.

The Thunder, led by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, advanced to the final by beating the Houston Rockets 111-96. Gilgeous-Alexander scored 32 points and added eight rebounds, six assists, and five steals. He shot 8-of-21 from the floor, 2-of-6 from beyond the arc, and 14-of-15 from the free-throw line. Despite the Rockets leading 42-41 at halftime, Gilgeous-Alexander helped the Thunder take control in the second half, leading them to a win.

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In the Bucks-Hawks game, the contest was close throughout, especially after two dunks by Jalen Johnson late in the third quarter gave the Hawks an 83-82 lead. However, Antetokounmpo stepped up in the final period, scoring six points in a 7-1 run to give the Bucks a 103-96 lead with just over three minutes remaining. The Hawks tried to come back, with Trae Young hitting free throws and a jumper, but Brook Lopez and Damian Lillard sealed the win for the Bucks.

Lillard scored 25 points for the Bucks, while Lopez added 16. Trae Young led the Hawks with 35 points, 10 assists, and seven rebounds, but it wasn’t enough to overcome the Bucks’ balanced attack and strong defence. Antetokounmpo praised his team for their ability to disrupt the Hawks' offence and play team basketball.

This victory is especially important for the Bucks, who are seeking redemption after losing in last year’s inaugural NBA Cup semi-finals. Khris Middleton, a key player for the Bucks, said this win felt great after last year’s tough loss to Indiana. Antetokounmpo, reflecting on the team’s improvement, said, "If we compete, we’ll win the game." He also noted that the Bucks have learned to play together as a team, moving away from trying to do everything individually.

After starting the season with a 2-8 record, the Bucks have turned things around, going 12-3 in their recent games. They’ve learned to trust one another and focus on team play. "The job is not done so far," Antetokounmpo said. "We’ve got to keep playing together and hope we get better."

The Bucks’ focus on defence and team play helped them secure the win, with Antetokounmpo and Lillard leading the charge in the final minutes. The Thunder, led by Gilgeous-Alexander, will be a tough opponent in the final, but the Bucks are determined to keep playing as a team and pursue the title.

Now, both teams are ready for the showdown. The Bucks and Thunder will meet for the title on Tuesday in Las Vegas, with both teams eager to claim the championship.

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