Lillard and Antetokounmpo won an NBA Cup together. Now, the next challenge: chasing the big prize

LAS VEGAS (AP) — Damian Lillard and Giannis Antetokounmpo stood side-by-side during the postgame celebration after the NBA Cup final. Antetokounmpo was holding the MVP trophy. Lillard was holding the bigger trophy. And it was a moment that Lillard had waited a long time to savor. ...

Tensions flare for NBA Cup title game between Bucks and Thunder

LAS VEGAS (AP) — Tuesday night's championship between Milwaukee and Oklahoma City didn't quite have the intensity of a playoff game, but the high energy that has typified the second version of the NBA Cup was ratcheted up. With a trophy — and a significant amount of money on the...

Giannis, Bucks use 3-point barrage to beat Thunder 97-81 for NBA Cup title

LAS VEGAS (AP) — Everyone has a lucky number in Las Vegas. For the Milwaukee Bucks, it was 3. And the NBA Cup was their prize. Tournament MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 26 points to go along with 19 rebounds and 10 assists, Damian Lillard added 23 points and the...

NBA Cup final was a contrast in spending styles, and the league is just fine with that

LAS VEGAS (AP) — The NBA Cup finalists had different styles in how they play. And how they spend. Tuesday night's title game in Las Vegas between Milwaukee and Oklahoma City pitted a team in the Bucks that's over the NBA's second apron — a threshold that, once exceeded, limits...

The Milwaukee Bucks beat the Oklahoma City Thunder 97-81 to win NBA Cup

Bucks rule Khris Middleton out of NBA Cup final because of illness

LAS VEGAS (AP) — Milwaukee Bucks guard Khris Middleton was ruled out of Tuesday night's NBA Cup final against the Oklahoma City Thunder because of illness. Middleton didn't practice on Monday, and the Bucks felt he wasn't ready to play a day later. The team is hoping he'll be ready...

As NBA rolls out new All-Star format, the stars taking a wait-and-see approach

LAS VEGAS (AP) — Milwaukee Bucks guard Damian Lillard is the reigning NBA All-Star Game MVP, after scoring 39 points last February in the highest-scoring game the league has ever seen. East 211, West 186. It rewrote the record book. It...

The Bucks-Thunder NBA Cup final will have a lot of money at stake

LAS VEGAS (AP) — When the Milwaukee Bucks clinched their spot in the NBA Cup championship game, plenty of the team's younger and lesser-paid players were exuberant in the locker room. Yes, they have a chance at a trophy. Those are nice. They'll also have a chance at...

Bucks guard Khris Middleton misses practice with illness on eve of NBA Cup final

LAS VEGAS (AP) — Milwaukee Bucks guard Khris Middleton missed practice Monday because of illness, leaving his status for the NBA Cup final against the Oklahoma City Thunder somewhat unclear. The Bucks and Thunder play for the Cup on Tuesday night. Middleton has...

Giannis, Bucks top Hawks 110-102, earn spot in NBA Cup championship game vs. Thunder

LAS VEGAS (AP) — Giannis Antetokounmpo had 32 points and was an assist away from a triple-double, Damian Lillard added 25 and the Milwaukee Bucks beat the Atlanta Hawks 110-102 on Saturday to earn a spot in the NBA Cup championship game. The Bucks will meet Oklahoma City, which...