NBA Cup semi-finals set: Houston Rockets and Atlanta Hawks punch their tickets to Las Vegas
After securing dramatic wins in the NBA Cup quarter-finals, the Houston Rockets and Atlanta Hawks head to Las Vegas for semi-final showdowns.
Sports News Blitz writer Noah Ngcobo previews the key match-ups as the Rockets face the Thunder and the Hawks take on the Bucks in a high-stakes battle for the finals.
Rockets and Hawks ready to shine in Las Vegas semifinals
The stage is set for an exciting showdown in the NBA Cup semi-finals, with the Houston Rockets and Atlanta Hawks securing thrilling victories in their quarter-final matchups.
These wins have earned them spots in Las Vegas, where they’ll compete for a coveted place in the finals.
After Wednesday’s action-packed games, the Rockets and Hawks are primed to take on the Oklahoma City Thunder and Milwaukee Bucks, respectively, in what promises to be a memorable Saturday of basketball.
Rockets edged by Warriors in a nail-biting finish
The Houston Rockets have been on a mission in this year’s NBA Cup, and they demonstrated that tenacity in a dramatic 91-90 win over the Golden State Warriors.
This victory marked Houston’s first over the Warriors since 2020, breaking a 15-game losing streak to the defending champions.
The Rockets were led by Alperen Sengun, who posted a monster stat line with 26 points and 11 rebounds, showing just how much his team wanted to make it to Las Vegas.
Houston’s Jalen Green also played a pivotal role, scoring 12 points, including the game-winning free throws with just 3.5 seconds left.
The win came after a rollercoaster second half in which the Rockets squandered a sizable lead, only to launch a 7-0 run late in the game to snatch victory from Golden State's grasp.
The Warriors, who had briefly regained the lead with back-to-back threes from Brandin Podziemski and Jonathan Kuminga, were left fuming after a controversial foul call on Kuminga in the final seconds.
Warriors coach Steve Kerr voiced his frustration, criticising the loose-ball foul call as one that “should never have happened.”
Despite the close finish, Houston’s gritty performance - particularly their relentless defence, which forced 14 turnovers from Golden State in the first half - set the tone for their first NBA Cup semi-final appearance.
The Rockets will face the Oklahoma City Thunder, who have been equally impressive, in what should be a thrilling match-up in Las Vegas.
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: WNBA star Caitlin Clark named TIME’s Athlete of the Year for 2024
Trae Young's spark leads Hawks past the Knicks
In New York, the Atlanta Hawks staged a dramatic comeback to knock the Knicks out of the tournament with a 108-100 victory.
The Knicks seemed to be in control at halftime, leading by 10 points, but Atlanta’s star point guard, Trae Young, came alive in the second half.
Young finished with 22 points, 11 assists, and five rebounds, playing a critical role in the Hawks’ offensive surge.
Down by as many as 10 points in the third quarter, the Hawks were sparked by Young’s eight consecutive points, including two clutch three-pointers that gave them the lead for good.
Young’s playmaking was pivotal, especially as he helped balance the attack with contributions from De'Andre Hunter, who led all scorers with 24 points.
Forward Jalen Johnson also impressed, contributing 21 points, 15 rebounds, and seven assists in a well-rounded effort.
The Knicks, led by Josh Hart (21 points), Karl-Anthony Towns (19 points, 19 rebounds), and Mikal Bridges (19 points), couldn’t contain the Hawks once they upped the pace in the second half.
Young’s leadership was undeniable, and his clutch performances in New York only added to his growing legacy as the player Knicks fans love to hate.
With the win, the Hawks are set to face the Milwaukee Bucks, who edged out the Orlando Magic in their quarter-final clash.
What's next?
As the NBA Cup semi-finals approach, both the Rockets and Hawks are hungry for their shot at the title.
For Houston, it’s an opportunity to prove their young core’s mettle against a veteran Oklahoma City team.
Meanwhile, Atlanta will look to continue their momentum against the formidable Bucks, led by the reigning NBA MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo.
The battle for the NBA Cup title is heating up, and Las Vegas will be the perfect backdrop for these exciting match-ups.
The road to the NBA Cup final culminates in Las Vegas, where the stakes are high, and the players are ready to give it their all.
Who will rise to the occasion? The answer will be revealed this weekend in one of the most anticipated events of the NBA season.
READ NEXT: England vs New Zealand second Test analysis: Five things we learnt
