NBA Cup live updates: Giannis Antetokounmpo drives Bucks past Hawks to reach championship; Thunder-Hawks set for West semi

On By Littum

Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks are on their way to the NBA Cup championship.

The Bucks beat Trae Young and the Atlanta Hawks 110-102 in the semifinals of the 2024 NBA Cup Saturday afternoon at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. That officially put them in the title race, where they will face either the Oklahoma City Thunder or the Houston Rockets on Tuesday night.

Antetokounmpo finished just shy of a triple-double with 32 points, 14 rebounds and nine assists in the win. He also shot 10-of-15 from the field. Damian Lillard wasn’t far behind with 25 points, seven assists and six rebounds, though he went just 5-of-14 from behind the arc.

Young did everything to keep the Hawks in it in the third quarter after a close opening half in Las Vegas. He shot 6-of-7 from the field in the period to give the Hawks the lead going into the final period.

Eventually, however, Antetokounmpo and the Bucks surged forward down the stretch. They went on a quick 7-1 run late in the fourth quarter, fueled by three short buckets from Antetokounmpo, to finally pull away from the Hawks. Antetokounmpo also sealed the deal in the final minutes with a wild block on Clint Capela at the rim to break up an alley-oop.

Young led the Hawks with a near triple-double of his own. He finished with 35 points, 10 assists and seven rebounds for Atlanta, which dropped to 14-13 on the season with the loss. Jalen Johnson finished with 15 points and 10 rebounds, and De’Andre Hunter added 15 points and seven rebounds off the bench.

In the West, the Thunder overcame the Dallas Mavericks and Luka Dončić in a 14-point victory on Tuesday, while the Rockets won a controversial game against the Golden State Warriors on Wednesday in which Steve Kerr yelled at the refs after a one-point loss. . They leave next Saturday night.

Which team will join the Bucks and make it to Tuesday’s NBA Cup championship game?

Houston Rockets vs. Oklahoma City Thunder

Time: 8:30 p.m. ET

Channel: ABC

Follow Yahoo Sports for live updates, highlights and more below:

Live31 updates

  • Next: Thunder-Rockets

    Oklahoma City and Houston will meet in the other semifinal game in approximately 90 minutes. The winner will take on the Bucks for the NBA Cup on Tuesday.

  • East semi-final statistics

    DKK 110

    Giannis Antetokounmpo: 32 points (10-15 FG), 14 rebounds, 9 assists

    Damian Lillard: 25 points (5-14 3FG), 7 assists, 6 rebounds

    Brook Lopez: 16 points, 3 rebounds, 1 assist

    Hawks 102

    Trae Young: 35 points (9-18 FG), 10 assists, 7 rebounds

    Jalen Johnson: 15 points, 10 rebounds, 4 assists

    De’Andre Hunter: 15 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists

  • FINAL: Bucks 110, Hawks 102

    The Bucks are officially headed to the championship game on Tuesday, taking on either the Thunder or Rockets in Vegas.

  • If all else fails, ask Giannis to do everything.

  • WHAT A BLOCK FROM GIANNIS AT THE RIM

  • The Bucks finally have a little bit of separation here. They are up 103-97 now with 3:01 left in the game.

  • If all else fails, give it to Giannis…

  • We have one close to here down the stretch. The Bucks are up by one now midway through the fourth quarter.

  • This disgusting grocery store thing has to stop. It’s one of the things that makes a game ugly. Nobody wants to see this.

  • This is about as competitive a game as the NBA could have hoped for. A one-point game to start the fourth.

  • End of 3: Hawks 83, Bucks 82

    Trae Young went off in the third quarter and helped the Hawks take their first lead since the opening sequence of the second period. He is up to 26 points, 10 assists and seven rebounds now.

    We expect a good finish here in Vegas. End of 3: Hawks 83, Bucks 82

  • It’s amazing, Trae Young has had a terrible shooting season, the worst of his career, but is on fire tonight. He’s 7-of-12, 3-of-4 from 3. 26-8-7 now in the third quarter trying to keep the Hawks in it.

  • Clint Capela just completely stuffed Giannis and then finished at the other end. However, the Hawks still trail 70-64 midway through the third quarter.

  • Present: Not very tall or impressive, but he packs a punch: Floyd Mayweather

  • You can see why the Hawks are competitive, especially on defense. They are not intimidating or intrusive, but their wings are long and aggressive. They cover a lot of space and block passing lanes.

  • Now at 30, Giannis Antetokounmpo is eyeing another MVP award. He’s dominating like never before and leading the charge tonight in Las Vegas.

    Click the image for more on Giannis’ latest MVP push from Vincent Goodwill earlier this month.

    December 14, 2024; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) reacts during the first quarter against the Atlanta Hawks in the semifinals of the 2024 Emirates NBA Cup at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory credit: Kyle Terada-Imagn ImagesDecember 14, 2024; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) reacts during the first quarter against the Atlanta Hawks in the semifinals of the 2024 Emirates NBA Cup at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory credit: Kyle Terada-Imagn Images

    Click the image for more on Giannis’ recent MVP push from Vincent Goodwill earlier this month. (Kyle Terada-Imagn Photos)

  • Half: Bucks 55, Hawks 49

    Giannis leads all scorers with 14 points, eight rebounds and five assists at the midway point. Damian Lillard is the only other Bucks player in double figures with 10 points, though he’s shot just 3-of-13 from the field.

    Trae Young leads the Hawks with 12 points, seven rebounds and seven assists.

  • It feels like a pro-Hawks crowd. Then you remember the Falcons play the Raiders in Vegas this weekend. There was a lot of Falcons gear on people walking around town last night and today.

  • And just in time, here comes Dame. It’s back-to-back 3-pointers from him now, including this one from deep.

  • I wonder if the lighting at T-Mobile Arena is messing with the recordings. Dame Lillard is 2-for-9 from the field and 1-for-6 from the 3-point line so far.