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

Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks are headed to the NBA Cup championship game. The Houston Rockets and Oklahoma City Thunder are now figuring out who will join them.

In the Western side of the bracket, the Thunder overcame the Dallas Mavericks and Luka Dončić in a 14-point win on Tuesday, while the Rockets won a controversial matchup against the Golden State Warriors on Wednesday that saw Steve Kerr calling out the refs after a one-point loss. It is a matchup of two of the NBA’s youngest teams, and should be a good one in Las Vegas.

The Bucks beat Trae Young and the Atlanta Hawks 110-102 in the semifinals of the 2024 NBA Cup on Saturday afternoon at T-Mobile Arena. That officially put them into the title game, where they’ll take on either the Oklahoma City Thunder or 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 shot 10-of-15 from the field, too. 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 possible to keep the Hawks in it in the third quarter after a tight opening half in Las Vegas. He shot 6-of-7 from the field in the period and put the Hawks in the lead entering the final period.

Finally, though, Antetokounmpo and the Bucks surged ahead down the stretch. They mounted a quick 7-1 run late in the fourth quarter, powered by three short buckets from Antetokounmpo, to finally separate from the Hawks. Antetokounmpo sealed the deal in the final minutes, too, 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.

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 along with Yahoo Sports for live updates, highlights and more below:

Live39 updates

  • Sun, December 15, 2024 at 5:23 a.m. GMT+3

    J-Dub hits a jumper and falls after a contest. An animated Floyd Mayweather yells at a ref, “Call the foul!”

    This IS Vegas after all…

  • Sun, December 15, 2024 at 5:19 a.m. GMT+3

    End 1: Rockets 20, Thunder 18

    Kenrich Williams leads all scorers with seven points off the Thunder’s bench. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander went 1-of-8 from the field, too.

  • Sun, December 15, 2024 at 5:06 a.m. GMT+3

    The game is not for the faint of heart. Competitive but not high on aesthetics.

  • Sun, December 15, 2024 at 4:59 a.m. GMT+3

    Well, we’re off to a slow start. Both teams have shot a combined 3-of-17 and 2-of-8 from the field to start this one.

    The Rockets lead 6-5 early.

  • Sun, December 15, 2024 at 4:52 a.m. GMT+3

    The Rockets have won the tip, and we’re off in Las Vegas. The Thunder have won eight of their last nine games heading into this one.

    The winner will get the Bucks on Tuesday night with the NBA Cup on the line.

  • Sun, December 15, 2024 at 4:40 a.m. GMT+3

    This is the perfect pre-game entertainment now that these two shows can crossover.

  • Sun, December 15, 2024 at 4:13 a.m. GMT+3

    Starting lineups for Rockets-Thunder

    Rockets

    • Dillon Brooks

    • Jabari Smith Jr.

    • Alperen Şengün

    • Jalen Green

    • Fred VanVleet

    Thunder

    • Lu Dort

    • Jalen Williams

    • Isaiah Hartenstein

    • Cason Wallace

    • Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

  • Sun, December 15, 2024 at 4:10 a.m. GMT+3
  • Sun, December 15, 2024 at 3:18 a.m. GMT+3

    Up next: Thunder-Rockets

    Oklahoma City and Houston will square off in the second semifinals game in about 90 minutes or so. The winner will take on the Bucks for the NBA Cup on Tuesday.

  • Sun, December 15, 2024 at 3:11 a.m. GMT+3

    East Semifinals Stats

    Bucks 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

  • Sun, December 15, 2024 at 3:07 a.m. GMT+3

    FINAL: Bucks 110, Hawks 102

    The Bucks are officially headed to the championship game on Tuesday, where they’ll take on either the Thunder or the Rockets in Vegas.

  • Sun, December 15, 2024 at 2:57 a.m. GMT+3

    If all else fails, ask Giannis to do every damn thing.

  • Sun, December 15, 2024 at 2:56 a.m. GMT+3

    WHAT A BLOCK FROM GIANNIS AT THE RIM

  • Sun, December 15, 2024 at 2:54 a.m. GMT+3

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

  • Sun, December 15, 2024 at 2:51 a.m. GMT+3

    If all else fails, give it to Giannis…

  • Sun, December 15, 2024 at 2:38 a.m. GMT+3

    We’ve got a close one here down the stretch. The Bucks are up by one now at the midway point of the fourth quarter.

  • Sun, December 15, 2024 at 2:31 a.m. GMT+3

    This foul merchant stuff has to stop. It’s one of the things that makes a game ugly. Nobody wants to see this.

  • Sun, December 15, 2024 at 2:26 a.m. GMT+3

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

  • Sun, December 15, 2024 at 2:22 a.m. GMT+3

    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’s up to 26 points, 10 assists and seven rebounds now.

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

  • Sun, December 15, 2024 at 2:14 a.m. GMT+3

    It’s amazing, Trae Young has had a horrible shooting season, the worst of his career, but is torching everything 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.

  • Sun, December 15, 2024 at 2:07 a.m. GMT+3

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

  • Sun, December 15, 2024 at 2:03 a.m. GMT+3

    In attendance: Not particularly long or imposing but he packs a punch: Floyd Mayweather

  • Sun, December 15, 2024 at 2:02 a.m. GMT+3

    You can see why the Hawks are competitive, particularly on defense. They’re not intimidating or imposing, but their wings are long and aggressive. They cover a lot of space and shut off passing lanes.

  • Sun, December 15, 2024 at 1:42 a.m. GMT+3

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

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

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

    Click the photo for more on Giannis’ latest MVP push from Vincent Goodwill earlier this month. (Kyle Terada-Imagn Images)

  • Sun, December 15, 2024 at 1:38 a.m. GMT+3

    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.

  • Sun, December 15, 2024 at 1:26 a.m. GMT+3

    This feels like a pro-Hawks crowd. Then you remember, the Falcons are playing the Raiders in Vegas this weekend. There was a lot of Falcons gear on folks walking around the city last night and today.

  • Sun, December 15, 2024 at 1:24 a.m. GMT+3

    And right on time, here comes Dame. That’s back-to-back 3-pointers from him now, including this one from deep.

  • Sun, December 15, 2024 at 1:20 a.m. GMT+3

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

  • Sun, December 15, 2024 at 1:17 a.m. GMT+3

    Not sure if it’s playing on TV, but the atmosphere is picking up some and the building has filled. It was just a slow arriving crowd.

  • Sun, December 15, 2024 at 1:11 a.m. GMT+3

    AJ Green’s nickname, according to basketball reference, is Dairy Bird … I have thoughts. But he can play.

    He just powered the Bucks on a 10-0 run to start the second quarter with back-to-back 3s. The Bucks are up 36-28 now.

  • Sun, December 15, 2024 at 1:04 a.m. GMT+3

    End 1: Hawks 28, Bucks 26

    The Hawks rallied back to take a slight lead after the first quarter. Trae Young leads the way with 10 points and five assists, though seven of his points have come from the free throw line. Giannis Antetokounmpo leads the Bucks with seven points, six rebounds and four assists.

  • Sun, December 15, 2024 at 12:58 a.m. GMT+3

    The Hawks have fought back to take a 18-12 lead after their slow start. Half of their points have come from Trae Young.

  • Sun, December 15, 2024 at 12:43 a.m. GMT+3

    Not sure if he’s known more as a podcaster or rapper, but Cam’ron just arrived sitting courtside across from the benches.

  • Sun, December 15, 2024 at 12:39 a.m. GMT+3

    The Bucks came to play. They opened the game on a quick 7-0 burst, and the Hawks have to call a timeout after a huge Giannis layup.

  • Sun, December 15, 2024 at 12:37 a.m. GMT+3

    The Hawks have won the tip, and the first semifinal game is officially underway.

  • Sun, December 15, 2024 at 12:34 a.m. GMT+3

    Like last year’s semifinal, it looks a bit sparse to start. Atlanta and Milwaukee, guessing it’s hard for fans to get to Vegas on short notice.

  • Sun, December 15, 2024 at 12:26 a.m. GMT+3

    Hawks-Bucks incoming

    The Bucks and Hawks will tip in about 15 minutes from T-Mobile Arena. The Bucks are a -3.5 favorite on BetMGM after their tight win over the Magic in the quarterfinals.

  • Sun, December 15, 2024 at 12:01 a.m. GMT+3

    Here’s what’s up for grabs on Tuesday night in Las Vegas.

  • Sat, December 14, 2024 at 11:32 p.m. GMT+3

    NBA Cup semifinals coming soon

    The NBA Cup semifinals will start in about an hour. Here’s everything you need to know before the games get going in Las Vegas:

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