In a shocking display of offensive ineptitude, the Oklahoma City Thunder saw their NBA Cup dreams shattered by the Milwaukee Bucks in a lopsided 97-81 defeat. The Thunder, who had been riding high on the scoring prowess of superstar Shai Gilgeous-Alexander all season, found themselves stymied at every turn by a suffocating Bucks defense.
A Night to Forget for Gilgeous-Alexander
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the Thunder’s offensive catalyst, endured a forgettable performance in the biggest game of his young career. The usually efficient scorer struggled mightily, connecting on just 8 of his 24 field goal attempts and an abysmal 3 of 12 when guarded by Milwaukee’s defensive stalwart, Andre Jackson Jr.
“I don’t think he was the reason for my type of night,” a visibly frustrated Gilgeous-Alexander remarked postgame. “The way I felt tonight, I still got to my spots. I just didn’t make anything. Things like that happen. Nights like that happen.”
– Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
Thunder Go Ice Cold from Deep
The Thunder’s offensive woes extended far beyond their star player. As a team, Oklahoma City connected on a paltry 15.6% of their three-point attempts, with Gilgeous-Alexander the only player to make more than one shot from beyond the arc. This uncharacteristic shooting slump left the Thunder searching for answers.
“It’s hard to win that way,” lamented Thunder center Isaiah Hartenstein, who provided a rare bright spot with 14 first-half points. “You just sometimes have those nights.”
– Isaiah Hartenstein
Bucks Seize Control in Second Half
Despite their shooting struggles, the Thunder managed to keep the game competitive in the first half by attacking the paint and getting to the free throw line. However, the Bucks made critical adjustments at halftime, clamping down on Oklahoma City’s interior scoring and forcing them into difficult jump shots.
The Thunder mustered a meager 31 points in the second half, with just eight coming in the paint. Their inability to generate easy looks or consistently knock down open jumpers allowed the Bucks to pull away for a comfortable victory.
A Lesson Learned for Young Thunder Squad
While the sting of defeat will linger, Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault sees the NBA Cup final as a valuable learning experience for his young team. Rather than dwelling on the missed shots and missed opportunity, Daigneault is focused on using this game as a catalyst for growth.
“I never look at it as like, we just missed shots,” Daigneault explained. “I could have done a better job shaking us free at different times in that game, but we can learn from it.”
– Mark Daigneault, Thunder head coach
For a Thunder team on the rise, the NBA Cup final serves as a stark reminder of the challenges that await on the path to championship contention. The lessons gleaned from this humbling defeat could prove invaluable as Oklahoma City looks to bounce back stronger next season.
As the confetti fell and the Bucks celebrated their NBA Cup triumph, the Thunder were left to ponder what might have been. But in the face of adversity, this resilient group remains undaunted. With a young core brimming with potential and a coach committed to their development, the Oklahoma City Thunder’s best days may still lie ahead.
