Chicago Bulls fall to Giannis Antetokounmpo and Milwaukee Bucks in NBA Cup. 3 takeaways from the 126-110 loss.

Chicago Bulls fall to Giannis Antetokounmpo and Milwaukee Bucks in NBA Cup

The Chicago Bulls were unable to contain Giannis Antetokounmpo, who tallied 41 points and 15 rebounds to lead the Milwaukee Bucks to a 126–110 victory on Friday in an NBA Cup matchup.

Milwaukee’s Dominance

Friday’s game served as a reminder that few NBA players test toughness more than Giannis Antetokounmpo. Despite their efforts to play with more physicality, the Bulls couldn’t withstand the relentless pace and power of Milwaukee.

Bulls’ Game Plan Tested

The Bulls focused on staying physical—drawing charges, maintaining sharp rotations, and forcing poor perimeter shots. This approach has kept them competitive early in the season, but it wasn’t enough against Milwaukee’s intensity.

Giannis in Command

Standing 6-foot-11 and weighing 242 pounds, Antetokounmpo combines force with finesse, darting around or barreling through any defender. This season, he’s averaging 32.3 points per game through the first three contests, showing no hesitation in attacking the rim.

“Antetokounmpo can dodge around any defender in the league. It just happens that he prefers to go through them.”

High Stakes and Motivation

Antetokounmpo thrives in meaningful games, and for Milwaukee, the NBA Cup matters. The Bucks intend to defend their title this fall, and Friday’s performance underscored their readiness to do so.

Author’s Summary: The Bulls’ physical defense collapsed against Giannis Antetokounmpo’s dominance, as the Bucks showcased their power and focus in an early NBA Cup clash.

Chicago Tribune — 2025-11-08