3 players who could be the X-factors for Bucks in Emirates NBA Cup Final feat. Taurean Prince

The Milwaukee Bucks are set to face the OKC Thunder in the 2024 Emirates NBA Cup Final on Tuesday night at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. The Bucks are going to rely on Giannis Antetokounmpo to bring home the NBA Cup back to Wisconsin, but he will need some help.

Damian Lillard has been phenomenal for the Bucks this season after a rough 2-8 start for the team. Milwaukee has relied on him in the clutch, while his playmaking has been superb in his second year in Cream City.

However, the Bucks will need all the help they can get to beat a Thunder team known for its stingy defense. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander will be quite a handful, while Jalen Williams emerged as a legitimate second star alongside him.

Let's look at three Bucks players who could be their X-factor in the Emirates NBA Cup Final.

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3 players who could be the X-factors for Bucks in the Emirates NBA Cup Final

#3 Taurean Prince

Taurean Prince of the Milwaukee Bucks. (Photo: IMAGN)

Doc Rivers put a lot of faith in Taurean Prince this season, with Khris Middleton's absence following double ankle surgery last summer. Prince has started in all the games for the Milwaukee Bucks, but it has been a hit-or-miss.

For the Bucks to have a better chance at taking home the NBA Cup, Prince will need to get his groove back. He scored six points in the semifinal win against the Atlanta Hawks but was held scoreless in the previous three games before it.

If Prince can knock down shots early, it will ease things for Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard.

#2 Andre Jackson Jr.

Andre Jackson Jr. of the Milwaukee Bucks. (Photo: IMAGN)

One of the surprise starters for Doc Rivers this season is second-year guard Andre Jackson Jr. He has started in 16 games, but his production remains limited. However, he could play a bigger role early in the Emirates NBA Cup Final.

Jackson will likely be tasked with guarding Shai Gilgeous-Alexander in the first few minutes of the game. It won't be a breeze, but Jackson has all the tools to possibly slow down SGA.

The Houston Rockets did a great job cooling down SGA in the first half before he eventually caught fire in the final two quarters. The Bucks will need Jackson, as well as Taurean Prince, AJ Green and Gary Trent Jr., to do their best in defending the MVP runner-up.

#1 Khris Middleton

Khris Middleton of the Milwaukee Bucks. (Photo: IMAGN)

The OKC Thunder know that they cannot stop Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard. They can slow them both, which is a real possibility given how good the Thunder defense is this season.

If that happens, the Milwaukee Bucks will need Khris Middleton to turn back the clock. Middleton did just that in the playoffs against the Indiana Pacers, but it led to a double ankle surgery last offseason.

Middleton has come off the bench since returning on Monday, and he's still trying to find his rhythm and get back into playing shape. He's a former All-Star who can turn it up on any given night.