NBA Cup: Bucks Beat Bulls, Giannis Antetokounmpo Scores 41 Points
The Milwaukee Bucks opened their NBA Cup title defense with an emphatic 126-110 victory over the Chicago Bulls on Friday night.
Game Highlights
Giannis Antetokounmpo led Milwaukee with 41 points, 15 rebounds, and nine assists. He scored 19 points in the fourth quarter, helping the Bucks pull away to remain unbeaten in group stage play (9-0) during the tournament’s three-year history.
“Milwaukee improved to 9-0 in the NBA Cup's group play stage during the event's three-year history.”
Antetokounmpo shot 16 of 32 from the field, the first time this season he dipped below 61.5% shooting. Myles Turner contributed 23 points, his highest mark since joining the Bucks this year, while Ryan Rollins added 20 points off the bench.
Bucks’ NBA Cup Track Record
Milwaukee previously lost to Indiana in the semifinals two years ago but defeated Oklahoma City 97-81 in last year’s championship game.
Chicago’s Performance
Matas Buzelis scored 20 points with eight rebounds for the Bulls. Josh Giddey added 16 points, 14 assists, and seven rebounds, following two consecutive triple-doubles. He became the first Chicago player to post triple-doubles in back-to-back games since Michael Jordan in April 1989.
Author’s Summary
Milwaukee’s dominant win highlighted Giannis Antetokounmpo’s exceptional form and extended the Bucks’ perfect NBA Cup record, while Josh Giddey continued to make Bulls history.