Giannis Antetokounmpo delivered a stunning all-around performance to lead the Milwaukee Bucks to a 110-102 victory over the Atlanta Hawks on Saturday, clinching a spot in the NBA Cup championship game.
The Greek star scored 32 points, grabbed 14 rebounds, and nearly recorded a triple-double with 9 assists.
But it was his “winning plays” down the stretch that sealed the victory.
With just over two minutes left, Antetokounmpo provided a jaw-dropping block on an alley-oop attempt from Clint Capela, keeping the Bucks ahead by five points.
His defensive stop was a key moment in a dominant 12-3 run to close out the game.
“The job’s not finished,” Antetokounmpo said after the win, echoing the mindset of late NBA legend Kobe Bryant. “We got one more to go.”
Bucks coach Doc Rivers praised Antetokounmpo’s all-around effort, calling it the type of play that can’t be scripted but was crucial for their success.
“You can’t teach that,” Rivers said. “It takes what it takes every night.”
Milwaukee’s victory avenged last season’s semifinal exit and earned them a spot in Tuesday’s championship against either the Houston Rockets or Oklahoma City Thunder.
The Bucks, 11-1 all-time in NBA Cup games, arrived in Las Vegas with renewed focus after a tough start to the season.
Damian Lillard added 25 points and 7 assists, while emphasizing the team’s sharper approach this time around.
Despite the loss, Hawks star Trae Young had an impressive 35 points, 10 assists, and 7 rebounds, helping Atlanta keep pace throughout the game.
Still, Young remained proud of the Hawks’ deep Cup run, calling it an important building block for the young squad moving forward.
For the Bucks, the hard-fought win is a step closer to claiming their first NBA Cup title. But as Antetokounmpo reminded his teammates: “Stay locked in. The job’s not done.”