The 2024 NBA Cup is down to its final four, with the quartet of teams in Las Vegas on Saturday to face off in the second year of the in-season tournament.
In the quarterfinals earlier this week, the Milwaukee Bucks’ duo of Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard led them to a close win over a short-handed Orlando Magic team, while Trae Young and the Atlanta Hawks trolled the New York Knicks in an eight-point win at Madison Square Garden on Wednesday night.
Which team will make it to Tuesday’s NBA Cup championship game?
How to watch NBA Cup semifinals in Las Vegas
Atlanta Hawks vs. Milwaukee Bucks
Time: 4:30 p.m. ET
Channel: TNT
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:
Live24 updates
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.
This foul merchant stuff 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’ve 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’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
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.
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.
In attendance: Not particularly long or imposing but he packs a punch: Floyd Mayweather
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.
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.
Click the photo for more on Giannis’ latest MVP push from Vincent Goodwill earlier this month. (Kyle Terada-Imagn Images)
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.
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.
And right on time, here comes Dame. That’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 shooting. Dame Lillard is 2-for-9 from the field and 1-for-6 from the 3-point line so far.
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.
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.
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.
The Hawks have fought back to take a 18-12 lead after their slow start. Half of their points have come from Trae Young.
Not sure if he’s known more as a podcaster or rapper, but Cam’ron just arrived sitting courtside across from the benches.
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.
The Hawks have won the tip, and the first semifinal game is officially underway.
