Bucks' Doc Rivers on NBA Cup: You Don't Get This Experience During the Regular Season

Ahead of the NBA Cup Championship on Tuesday, where the Milwaukee Bucks will face off against the Oklahoma City Thunder, first-year Bucks head coach Doc Rivers shared his enthusiasm for the in-season tournament.

"There (are) things you learn. I just can't tell you what they are, but you don't get to get this experience during the regular season," Rivers told ESPN's Malika Andrews (2:36 in video). "This will help us, this will help Oklahoma, Atlanta, Houston... everybody that was here it's going to help us later."

The 14-11 Milwaukee Bucks secured a 110-102 win over the Atlanta Hawks on Saturday to clinch their spot in the NBA Cup Championship. Rivers expressed his excitement about the opportunity, highlighting the positive impact the game could have on the team.

"This cup, I liked it last year as a broadcaster, I love it more as a coach," Rivers said "I think it's good for our league."

The NBA Cup has received widespread praise since its introduction last season for creating a playoff-like atmosphere early in the year and helping teams prepare for the intensity of the real-deal in June.

The matchup between the Thunder and Bucks will feature an early showdown between two MVP frontrunners: Giannis Antetokounmpo and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. Adding to the excitement, each player on the winning team will take home a $500,000 prize.

Antetokounmpo echoed Rivers' sentiments, emphasizing that every big win in the league can create a domino effect, setting the stage for future success.

"I think when you approach the game that way, things like being in the NBA Cup final and winning the Championship just fall into place," Antetokounmpo told reporters.