MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN – NOVEMBER 22: Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks reacts to an … [+]
The Milwaukee Bucks have continued their tradition of dominating in the NBA Cup. As the in-season tournament hits the homestretch of its group stage, Milwaukee is sitting pretty with a 3-0 record in East Group B. That puts them in prime position to advance to the knockout round, but they’re not there just yet.
Let’s break down where they stand, how the NBA Cup works, and what they need to do to punch their ticket to Vegas.
Think of the NBA Cup as a turbocharged sprint within the marathon of an 82-game season. It’s designed to add stakes to November, a month that’s often overshadowed by NFL dominance and early-season NBA rust. Here’s the format:
The Bucks have been dominant so far. Their 3-0 record in group play puts them atop East Group B, and it’s been a team effort despite some significant lineup challenges.
Milwaukee’s final group-stage game is on Dec. 3 against the Detroit Pistons. A win would guarantee them the top spot in Group B and a spot in the knockout round. Simple enough, right?
But if they lose, things get complicated. Tiebreakers come into play, and the NBA’s criteria can feel like algebra homework:
Yes, there’s a trophy, and yes, the players get paid—each member of the winning team takes home $514,971, which is a nice bonus even for stars. But the NBA Cup is also about bragging rights and momentum. Winning the tournament sends a message to the rest of the league: Milwaukee is here, they’re cohesive, and they’re ready to contend.
For a team like the Bucks, who are trying to overcome a slow start, these high-leverage games offer a chance to iron out kinks and build chemistry. Antetokounmpo and Lillard look like they’ve improved from last season, but nothing accelerates that process like meaningful games with real stakes.
This year’s NBA Cup isn’t just a midseason distraction. It’s a proving ground, and the Bucks are determined to leave their mark. If they can clinch their spot in the knockout round and carry their momentum to Vegas, they’ll have a chance to add a new kind of hardware to the franchise’s trophy case.
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