The 2024 Emirates NBA Cup is heating up in Las Vegas, and basketball fans are in for a treat! The semifinals are here, and all eyes are on the showdown between the Houston Rockets and Oklahoma City Thunder. These two exciting young teams will face off on Saturday at 8:30 p.m. ET at the T-Mobile Arena, with a spot in the finals on the line.

The Rockets earned their way to this stage with a heart-stopping 91-90 win against the Golden State Warriors in the quarterfinals. Houston started strong but had to fend off a fierce Warriors comeback in the second half. After losing their lead in the third quarter, the Rockets showed grit and determination to pull off the win in the final moments.

On the other side, the Thunder dominated their quarterfinal matchup against the Dallas Mavericks, cruising to a 118-104 victory. Oklahoma City shut down Dallas stars Luka Dončić and Kyrie Irving with tough defense and built a huge lead early in the game, thanks to a powerful 33-19 third quarter.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has been unstoppable for Oklahoma City, delivering an MVP-level performance with 39 points, eight rebounds, and five assists in their last game. Jalen Williams added 18 points, seven rebounds, and four assists, while defensive standouts Cason Wallace and Luguentz Dort played a big role in limiting Dallas’ scoring threats.

Houston’s hopes rest heavily on Alperen Şengün, who has been their star player throughout the NBA Cup. Şengün is averaging an impressive 20.4 points, 9.4 rebounds, 7.0 assists, 2.0 steals, and 1.0 blocks per game. He’ll need to bring his A-game to match up against Oklahoma City’s strong frontcourt. Dillon Brooks has also been key for the Rockets, contributing 16.8 points per game and providing tough defense that could be crucial in this battle.

For Oklahoma City, Gilgeous-Alexander remains their go-to scorer, ranking third in NBA Cup scoring with 32.2 points per game. The Thunder’s defensive duo of Wallace and Dort will have their hands full trying to slow down Houston’s backcourt stars Jalen Green and Fred VanVleet. If they succeed, Oklahoma City will have a great shot at reaching the championship game.

This matchup promises non-stop action as both teams bring energy, talent, and hunger for a title to the court. With high-powered offenses and determined defenses on display, this semifinal clash in Las Vegas is sure to be a game to remember!