The Milwaukee Bucks secured a dominant 87-81 victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder on Tuesday night in Las Vegas, claiming the Emirates NBA Cup in style.
Giannis Antetokounmpo led the way with a stunning triple-double performance, tallying 26 points, 19 rebounds, and 10 assists. His efforts earned him the tournament MVP award, along with a $500,000-plus payday shared by all Bucks players for winning the league's in-season tournament.
While Giannis shined, the Bucks' defense was the true standout, holding the Western Conference-leading Thunder to just 31 points in the second half. The win capped an undefeated run for Milwaukee in the seven-game tournament.
One detail that caught the attention of fans was the continued success of Bucks assistant coach Darvin Ham in the NBA Cup. Ham, who coached the Los Angeles Lakers to victory in the inaugural tournament last year, extended his undefeated streak in Cup play to an impressive 14-0. Social media buzzed with fans, including Lakers supporters, applauding Ham's flawless record in the event.
Bucks forward Taurean Prince, who played with the Lakers last season, also embraced the "bonus ball" excitement, celebrating the extra payouts that extended to the coaching staff as well.
With their latest trophy, the Bucks further cemented their dominance in the NBA's in-season competition, leaving fans buzzing about their strong Cup legacy.
This article originally appeared in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: NBA fans react to Bucks' Darvin Ham raising another NBA Cup trophy.
