Giannis Antetokounmpo delivered a dominant performance as the Milwaukee Bucks (14-11) defeated the Atlanta Hawks (14-13) 110-102 on Saturday, securing a spot in the NBA Cup championship game. The Bucks will face the Oklahoma City Thunder in the final on Tuesday night.
Antetokounmpo was just shy of a triple-double, posting 32 points, 14 rebounds, and nine assists while also adding four blocks. The two-time MVP shot an efficient 10-of-15 from the field and 12-of-18 from the free-throw line, anchoring Milwaukee’s efforts on both ends of the court.
Damian Lillard added 25 points, hitting five three-pointers, and Brook Lopez chipped in with 16 points as the Bucks improved to 11-1 all-time in NBA Cup games. Bobby Portis provided key contributions off the bench with 10 points and nine rebounds in 23 minutes.
The Hawks were led by Trae Young, who scored a game-high 35 points along with 10 assists and seven rebounds. Jalen Johnson added a double-double with 15 points and 10 rebounds, while De’Andre Hunter also contributed 15 points. However, Atlanta fell short in the fourth quarter despite holding an 83-82 lead entering the final frame.
The win was significant for Milwaukee, ending a 20-game losing streak in games where they trailed entering the fourth quarter, a stretch that dated back to last season. The Bucks outscored Atlanta 28-19 in the final period, showing resilience after a shaky start to the game.
Young’s ability to draw fouls was on full display, as he earned 11 trips to the free-throw line—a season-high for the All-Star guard. Since entering the league, Young has drawn 10 or more fouls in a game 52 times, a testament to his craftiness.
For the Bucks, this victory continues their strong showing in the NBA Cup. Tuesday’s final against Oklahoma City will not count toward regular-season standings, but Milwaukee will aim to capture the inaugural tournament’s title.
