There was one point in the 2024-2025 season when the Milwaukee Bucks were in a tough spot. At 2-8, the Bucks were at the bottom of the standings searching for answers. Losses to the defending champions Boston Celtics and the then-undefeated Cleveland Cavaliers were a given, but being unable to secure victories against the Brooklyn Nets and the Chicago Bulls seemed inexcusable. There was some panic within some quarters in Milwaukee and the rumors surrounding Giannis Antetokounmpo’s future became a little uncertain. 

But then, the 2024 Emirates NBA Cup began. 

The Bucks would go on to sweep the preliminaries of the 2024 NBA Cup and breezed through the knockout rounds to seal a NBA Cup final matchup with the Oklahoma City Thunder. 

Like much of their current campaign, the battle with the Thunder was a testy one. Milwaukee fell behind early and was struggling to contain OKC’s offense in the paint. But unlike earlier in the season, they only bent and did not break. 

The Bucks tightened their defense and were disciplined enough not to let Shai Gilgeous-Alexander earn his points from the free throw line. Antetokounmpo was also throwing his weight around the Thunder, scoring and rebounding against the undermanned OKC frontcourt. When the Thunder would increase the defensive pressure, the Greek Freak simply kicked it out to an open teammate. 

Milwaukee’s 97-81 victory over the Thunder may not count towards their regular-season record, but it does give indications that they’re figuring things out. While the Bucks aren’t exactly at full strength, they’ve been able to improve team chemistry, particularly with players who have stepped into larger roles. The likes of Andre Jackson Jr. and AJ Green have come to mind as both players have made the most out of their minutes and figured heavily in key moments during Milwaukee’s win over OKC. 

Green provided some much needed offense as the Bucks went on a 19-5 run in the second half. Meanwhile, Jackson Jr. played solid defense on Gilgeous-Alexander. 

However, Milwaukee’s success at the moment comes largely thanks to Antetokounmpo. It’s hard to believe that the 2021 NBA Finals MVP continues to find ways to improve, but it’s his intangibles that have also stood out. A few years ago, he was the young leader of a title-winning team and with the change in circumstances, the 30-year old has become an elder statesman looking to get back to the top. The maturity is obvious, and the way he carries himself (and the results it has produced this season) should give Bucks fans reason to believe that the celebrations could continue once more in June. 

The Milwaukee Bucks have shown that quick turnarounds are possible in a long NBA season. Talent is obviously a big help, but it’s character that will help take teams to greater heights. And with the way the Bucks handled the Oklahoma City Thunder was a prime example of that.