Milwaukee Bucks Final Appearances

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On January 22, 1968, the NBA awarded a franchise to the city of Milwaukee that would become the Milwaukee Bucks. As an expansion team, Bucks struggled in their inaugural 1968-69 NBA season but their fortunes took a remarkable turn when they won a coin toss against the Phoenix Suns, and secured the number one pick in the 1969 NBA draft. With this fortuitous selection, the Bucks selected Lew Alcindor, who later changed his name to Kareem Abdul-Jabbar!

Getting a talent like Kareem Abdul-Jabbar in just their second season marked the beginning of an illustrious era for the Milwaukee Bucks. Under young Abdul-Jabbar's leadership, the Bucks became a force in the NBA, as they were consistently contending for championships.

The Kareem Abdul Jabbar era lasted six years in Milwaukee, spanning from 1969 to 1975. After a bit of struggle after Kareem’s trade to Los Angeles, Bucks experienced a resurgence in the 1990s, led by the first ever defensive player of the year award winner Sidney Moncrief. A notable period in Bucks history occurred during the late 1990s to the early 2000s, known as the "Let It Fly" era. Led by the sharpshooting legend Ray Allen, and Sam Cassell, the Bucks embraced a fun and exciting style of offensive play which was centered around three-point shooting.

Following a subsequent period of struggle in the 2000s decade, the Milwaukee Bucks hit the jackpot in the 2013 NBA draft as they selected Giannis Antetokounmpo with the 15th overall pick. The "Greek Freak," Giannis emerged as a generational talent, elevating the Bucks to new heights with his unstoppable physical attributes, two-way skills and leadership.

With Giannis leading the charge, the Bucks have become a consistent presence in the postseason, cementing their status as a formidable contender in the Eastern Conference.

How many NBA championships have the Milwaukee Bucks won?

The Milwaukee Bucks have won 2 NBA championships.

Milwaukee Bucks’ first NBA championship came in 1971, just three years after their formation as a franchise. Led by the superstar duo of Oscar Robertson and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (then known as Lew Alcindor), the Bucks dominated the 1971 NBA playoffs.

Coached by Hall of Famer Larry Costello, the Bucks swept the Baltimore Bullets in the 1971 NBA Finals. Following this NBA championship, the people of Milwaukee endured a fifty-year wait before they could celebrate another NBA championship in their city.

In 2021, “Greek Freak” Giannis Antetokounmpo led from the front alongside stars Jrue Holiday and Khris Middleton, and won the NBA title for the Bucks. In a thrilling 2021 NBA Finals showdown against the Phoenix Suns, the Bucks staged a great comeback after trailing 2-0 in the series.

This victory made the 2021 Milwaukee Bucks only the fifth team in NBA history to win the championship after losing the first two games. Notably, the 2021 NBA Finals marked the first time since 2010 that neither LeBron James or Stephen Curry competed for the title.

Milwaukee Bucks NBA Finals Appearance History

The Milwaukee Bucks have made three appearances in the NBA Finals throughout their history.

Their first NBA Finals appearance came just three years after their formation, in 1971. Led by the dynamic duo of Oscar Robertson and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (then Lew Alcindor), the Bucks dominated the regular season and playoffs. They swept the Baltimore Bullets in the NBA Finals to capture their first championship, marking a triumphant moment for the franchise and the city of Milwaukee.

In 1974, the Bucks returned to the NBA Finals, once again led by Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. This time, they faced a formidable Boston Celtics team featuring stars like Dave Cowens, John Havlicek, and Jo Jo White. Despite putting up a valiant effort, the Bucks fell short in a grueling seven-game series, as the Boston Celtics emerged victorious.

After a 47-year gap, the Milwaukee Bucks made a triumphant return to the NBA Finals in 2021. Led by superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo, along with standout performances from players like Jrue Holiday and Khris Middleton, the Bucks faced off against the Phoenix Suns.

In a hard-fought series, the Bucks emerged victorious, defeating the Suns in six games to capture their second NBA championship in franchise history. This historic win marked a crowning achievement for the Bucks and solidified their place among the league's elite teams.

Below is a table summarizing the Milwaukee Bucks' NBA Finals appearance history:

What teams did the Milwaukee Bucks lose the NBA Finals against?

The Milwaukee Bucks have lost one NBA Finals series in their franchise history. This heartbreaking NBA finals loss came in 1974 when they lost the finals against Boston Celtics in a hard-fought seven game series. As of 2024, the Milwaukee Bucks have a 2-1 record in the NBA Finals.

Milwaukee Bucks Last NBA Finals Appearance

The Milwaukee Bucks last NBA Finals appearance was in 2021.

In the 2021 NBA Finals, the Milwaukee Bucks faced off against the Phoenix Suns, led by Devin Booker and Chris Paul. Despite facing a 2-0 deficit early on, the Bucks rallied back with a streak of impressive performances from their superstar forward Giannis Antetokounmpo, mid-range maestro Khris Middleton and defensive juggernaut Jrue Holiday.

The Milwaukee Bucks managed to secure four consecutive victories in the 2021 NBA finals, and clinched the NBA championship in six games. Giannis Antetokounmpo's dominant play earned him Finals MVP honors, capping off a memorable journey for the Bucks and bringing a long-awaited championship back to the city of Milwaukee.