Bucks and Thunder Advance to NBA Cup Semifinals with Thrilling Wins
The knockout stage of the second annual NBA Cup kicked off Tuesday night with two high-stakes quarterfinal matchups.
Bucks Edge Magic in a Nail-Biter
The Milwaukee Bucks outlasted the Orlando Magic in a closely contested game, winning 114-109 at Fiserv Forum. Down 107-106 late in the fourth quarter, Damian Lillard seized the moment, driving through a defensive lapse for an uncontested layup to put the Bucks ahead with under 33 seconds left.
Lillard, an eight-time All-Star, finished with 28 points and nine assists, while Giannis Antetokounmpo led all scorers with 37 points. With the win, Milwaukee advanced to the Eastern Conference semifinals for the second straight year, aiming to improve on last season’s semifinal loss to the Indiana Pacers.
Reflecting on the victory, Lillard said, “We didn’t have the greatest experience there last year, so I think we’re all focused on finishing what we started.”
Thunder Sink Mavs with Three-Point Barrage
In the night’s second game, the Oklahoma City Thunder dominated the Dallas Mavericks with a record-setting performance from beyond the arc. OKC attempted 31 three-pointers in the first half alone, connecting on 11. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander powered the Thunder’s offense, scoring 39 points—more than Luka Dončić (16) and Kyrie Irving (17) combined.
After leading by just three points at halftime, the Thunder surged in the third quarter, extending their lead to as much as 20 points. Despite a late rally from Dallas, Oklahoma City held firm, securing a 118-104 victory. The Thunder shot 40% from deep, hitting 20 of 50 three-point attempts.
“It had a little bit of a playoff feel, a little bit more at stake than a regular season game,” said Gilgeous-Alexander. “I’m proud of the guys—we rose to the moment and beat a good basketball team.”
Looking Ahead
The NBA Cup quarterfinals continue Wednesday night with two marquee matchups:
- New York Knicks host the Atlanta Hawks at Madison Square Garden, with Trae Young once again stepping into the role of villain.
- Golden State Warriors visit the Houston Rockets, showcasing Steph Curry’s electric play against the upstart Rockets.
The Bucks will face the winner of the Knicks-Hawks game, while the Thunder await the winner of Warriors-Rockets. Semifinals tip off Saturday at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, with the championship game scheduled for Tuesday at the same venue.
