Giannis Bucks Triumph Over Bulls to Shake Up the NBA Cup Standings
8 November 2025
Key results
Milwaukee Bucks opened the NBA Cup defense with a 126 110 win over the Chicago Bulls led by Giannis Antetokounmpo 41 points 15 rebounds and 9 assists with 19 points in the fourth quarter to seal the victory.
The Greek superstar ended a two game skid for Milwaukee while Chicago was led by Matas Buzelis with 20 points and Josh Giddey who had 16 points 7 rebounds and 14 assists in a performance that kept the Bulls hopeful. Detroit Pistons surged to the top of the Eastern Conference by defeating the Nets 125 107 behind 34 points from Cade Cunningham.
Friday marked the second round of the groups in the newly minted tournament now in its third edition with 30 teams split into six groups of five and results counting toward the regular season standings.
Eight teams will advance to the quarterfinals on December 9 10 with the semifinals in Las Vegas on December 13 and the final on December 16.
San Antonio Spurs edged the Houston Rockets 121 110 with Victor Wembanyama scoring 22 points Harrison Barnes 24 and Alperen Sengun 25 while Durant contributed 24 for Houston as they started strong but saw the Spurs take control late.
The Spurs used a 12 0 run to turn a halftime 51 50 edge into a comfortable second half and Wembanyama showed why many expect a bright future in San Antonio.
Oklahoma City Thunder topped the Sacramento Kings 132 101 as Isaiah Hartenstein produced a career best 33 points and 19 rebounds and Canadian Shai Gilgeous Alexander added 30 for the Thunder.
Nikola Jokic posted 26 points 9 rebounds and 9 assists as the Nuggets defeated the Warriors 129 104 in a game largely devoid of the illness sidelining the older guard Stephen Curry.
Anthony Edwards poured in 37 points in Minnesota 137 97 beatdown of Utah while Julius Randle flirted with a triple double on 19 points 10 rebounds and 12 assists as the Timberwolves controlled the pace throughout.
The Cavaliers overwhelmed the Wizards 148 114 in Washington as Donovan Mitchell led with 24 points Darius Garland 20 and Evan Mobley 18 as seven Cavaliers reached double figures.
Memphis Grizzlies earned a 118 104 win over the Dallas Mavericks with Ja Morant and Cedrick Kaord each scoring 21 as Memphis held the upper hand for most of the night.
Miami Heat erupted for a club record 53 points in the first quarter and went on to beat the Charlotte Hornets 126 108 in a display of high flying offense.
