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The stage is set for the NBA Cup Finals and Giannis Antetokounmpo understands the task ahead.
His Milwaukee Bucks secured a 110-102 victory over the Atlanta Hawks Saturday to advance to the championship game against the Oklahoma City Thunder. After securing the spot in the final, Antetokounmpo said his team needs to lock in and get it done.
“The only thing that matters right here is to get a win, and that’s the message within our team right now,” Antetokounmpo said, per Jamal Collier of ESPN. “Everybody got to stay locked in. Everybody got to stay locked in; the job’s not done.”
Antetokounmpo scored 32 points with 14 rebounds and nine assists while shooting 10-of-15 on field goals. Damian Lillard also had a strong day, scoring 25 points and adding seven assists, six rebounds and three steals.
The Bucks secure their first trip to the tournament championship and will contend for more than $500,000 that goes to each player on the winning team.
The Thunder clinched their spot via a 111-96 victory over the Houston Rockets. It’s also their first trip to the championship game as the Los Angeles Lakers took home the inaugural title after defeating the Indiana Pacers in the final game last year.
For a Bucks team that is currently 14-11, earning a key victory in the in-season tournament could be a major momentum boost.
The Championship Game is set for Dec. 17 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
