The Milwaukee Bucks and Oklahoma City Thunder emerged victorious in the first quarterfinal matchups of the Emirates NBA Cup 2024, showcasing grit and tactical adjustments as they punched their tickets to the semifinals and onto Las Vegas.

Bucks Overcome Undermanned Magic

Milwaukee outlasted a depleted but determined Orlando Magic team, winning 114-109. The Magic, without their top stars Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner, relied on a committee approach and defensive pressure to stay competitive. They even managed to cut the lead to a single possession late in the fourth quarter. However, the Bucks leaned on their dynamic duo of Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard to seal the victory.

Antetokounmpo delivered a stellar 37-point performance, dominating in transition and on the boards, while Lillard contributed 28 points, including crucial buckets in crunch time. Milwaukee’s ability to execute offensively and maintain composure under pressure underscored why they are the only team from last year’s semifinals still in contention. For Orlando, the game highlighted their depth and resolve but also the limitations of competing without their two cornerstone players.

Thunder Exact Revenge on Mavericks

In a rematch of last season’s Western Conference semifinals, the Oklahoma City Thunder defeated the Dallas Mavericks 117-108. The game marked a critical test for OKC, particularly after being out-rebounded and outmuscled in prior matchups. The addition of Isaiah Hartenstein, returning from injury, was a game-changer as he anchored the Thunder's efforts inside, helping offset Dallas’ size advantage.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the Thunder offensively, outpacing Luka Dončić with timely scoring and clutch playmaking. OKC also made strategic adjustments without Josh Giddey, whose struggles in last year’s series had been a talking point. The Thunder exploited their defensive strengths, forcing turnovers and converting fast-break opportunities to keep Dallas off balance. Luka Dončić’s brilliance wasn’t enough to carry the Mavericks, who struggled to contain Oklahoma City’s fluid ball movement and defensive intensity.

With these wins, both Milwaukee and Oklahoma City advance to the semifinals, showcasing why they remain strong contenders for the NBA Cup title.