Tuesday night’s championship game between Milwaukee and Oklahoma City lacked the intensity of a playoff match but was more energized than usual for the NBA Cup’s second edition. With a trophy and significant prize money on the line, it was evident this wasn’t just another mid-December regular-season game.
Though it didn’t impact the standings, the game still held extra significance.
Thunder coach Mark Daigneault described it as “closer to an elevated regular season than the playoffs.” He attributed that to the time of year, the difference between a series and a single-elimination format, and the experience of playing against stronger teams with higher stakes and more distractions.
By the third quarter, four technical fouls had been called, but the game settled down as the Bucks gained control.
The game’s tension spiked late in the first half when Thunder’s Isaiah Hartenstein and Bucks’ Andre Jackson Jr. clashed, both receiving technical fouls. Hartenstein took exception to Jackson’s hit on Shai Gilgeous-Alexander below the waist during a shot attempt. Hartenstein confronted Jackson, pointing at his face, which Jackson swatted away, and teammates intervened to prevent escalation.
“If it would’ve happened to any other teammate, I would’ve done the same thing,” said Hartenstein. “The refs didn’t call it, so I had to take it into my own hands. Maybe they didn’t see it, but I saw it.”
A pivotal moment came early in the third quarter, when Oklahoma City’s Lu Dort and Daigneault received technical fouls after a scramble for the ball. Damian Lillard of the Bucks hit both free throws, then followed with a 30-foot 3-pointer, extending Milwaukee’s lead to 64-53. From there, Oklahoma City struggled to mount a comeback.
Daigneault commented, “I made my point (to the officials),” adding, “I like those guys. They did a good job. They didn’t lose it for us.”
The Bucks’ defense played a crucial role in the win. Milwaukee coach Doc Rivers noted his team’s elevated intensity, especially on defense. Oklahoma City was limited to its lowest point total of the season, with the previous low being 83 points in a win against the Phoenix Suns. The Thunder had averaged 115.6 points per game entering the contest.
“One of the guys said yesterday all they heard was the defense of the other team,” Rivers said. “That’s all they heard for two days, and I think that bothered guys. They were very focused on keeping them to a low number.”
This marks the second year of the NBA Cup, following its debut as the NBA In-Season Tournament last year. The event served as a learning experience in its first edition, but this year’s competition displayed more intensity, especially throughout the group play and knockout rounds.
Lillard remarked, “I feel that teams cared about it a little bit more. I think teams played with more pride about trying to reach Vegas and having a chance to win at the end.”
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