The Milwaukee Bucks secured the 2024 NBA Cup with a commanding 97-81 victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder, finishing a perfect 7-0 in NBA Cup play.
The win underlines the Bucks’ strength this season under the leadership of new head coach Doc Rivers. But in a surprising twist, the team opted against the typical celebratory locker room champagne showers.
According to Coach Rivers, the decision was a calculated move. He explained that the idea to skip the celebration came after a conversation with assistant coach Darvin Ham, who reflected on his experience with the Los Angeles Lakers last season.
While the Lakers had celebrated their NBA Cup victory with enthusiasm, the energy failed to carry over to the rest of the season. The Lakers finished eighth in the Western Conference and suffered a first-round playoff exit against the Denver Nuggets.
The Bucks are hoping to avoid a similar fate. Rivers emphasized that the win is significant, but it shouldn’t be the peak of their season. Instead, he wants his team focused on the larger goal of maintaining momentum over the next 57 regular-season games.
“There are things you learn. I just can’t tell you what they are, but you don’t get to get this experience during the regular season,” Rivers told ESPN’s NBA Today ahead of the championship game.
“This will help us; this will help Oklahoma, Atlanta, Houston. Everybody that was here is going to help us later. This cup, I liked it last year as a broadcaster; I love it more as a coach. I think it’s good for our league.”
A strategic approach to success
The Bucks‘ approach reflects a shift in how teams are viewing the NBA Cup. Unlike the playoffs, where championships mark the culmination of the season, the NBA Cup comes early, and celebrating it too hard could derail a team’s long-term focus.
The Bucks are clearly taking a business-first attitude, determined to ensure their success in the NBA Cup translates into sustained dominance throughout the rest of the season.
For Milwaukee, the victory over the Thunder was no small feat. The Oklahoma City Thunder, led by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, entered the Cup as the No. 1 seed and had been a dominant force throughout the tournament. The Bucks, however, controlled the game from start to finish, with key contributions from Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard, who helped Milwaukee maintain their unbeaten Cup record.
The Bucks‘ win improved their season record to 14-11, a respectable mark in the crowded Eastern Conference. But unlike the past, this Bucks squad is not interested in short-term accolades. The coaching staff’s philosophy is centered on sustainability and consistency, with the NBA Cup serving as a checkpoint rather than a final destination.
