For the second consecutive year, the NBA will hold its annual NBA Cup championship game Tuesday in Las Vegas, featuring the Milwaukee Bucks and the Oklahoma City Thunder (Dec. 17). The road to Vegas was tough as four teams vied for the title, including the Atlanta Hawks, the Houston Rockets, the Bucks, and the Thunder.
While seamless execution and play-calling styles are essential in securing a victory, great pump-up music could sometimes decide whether a player can perform at the highest levels. From Stephen Curry to Luka Doncic, numerous players who participated in this year’s NBA Cup gave Billboard a taste of what gets them charged up on game day. The picks varied, ranging from rising rap rookies Bossman Dlow and BigXthaplug to established country and rock performers such as Mickey Guyton and The Red Hot Chili Peppers, respectively.
“I’m a longtime basketball fan, so I’m extremely excited to sing the national anthem at this year’s NBA Cup championship game,” says Guyton, who’ll be doing the honors ahead of the Bucks and Thunder game. “It’s going to be an amazing matchup between two of the league’s most exciting teams, and I can’t wait to set the tone for the evening.”
Check out the entire NBA Cup 2024 playlist below, including selections by Thunder stars Jalen Williams, Aaron Wiggins, Luguentz Dort, and Alex Caruso, who look to take home the W against the Bucks’ ultimate duo of Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard.
Tipoff begins tonight at 8:30 EST on ABC.
- “TV Off”, Kendrick Lamar – Johnathan Kuminga, Golden State Warriors
- “Stone Cold” Steve Austin walkout song – Gary Payton II, Golden State Warriors
- “Ain’t No Chimneys in the Projects”, Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings – Moses Moody, Golden State Warriors
- “Flowers”, Samantha Ebert – Buddy Hield, Golden State Warriors
- “Coming in Hot”, Andy Mineo and Lecrae – Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors
- “Walk Thru”, Rich Homie Quan – Draymond Green, Golden State Warriors
- “My House”, Flo Rida – Dereck Lively, Dallas Mavericks
- “Can’t Stop”, Red Hot Chilli Peppers – Dwight Powell, Dallas Mavericks
- “Smoothes in 1991,” Larry June – David Roddy, Atlanta Hawks
- “Free Mind,” Tems – Larry Nance Jr., Atlanta Hawks
- “Miki Milane,” Vera Matovic – Luka Doncic, Dallas Mavericks
- “They Thought I was Dead”, Tyler the Creator – Daniel Gafford, Dallas Mavericks
- “The Biggest Pt. 2”, BossMan Dlow – PJ Washington, Dallas Mavericks
- “Jumbotron Sh-t,” Drake – Jalen Williams, Oklahoma City Thunder
- “Family Matters,” Drake – Jalen Williams, Oklahoma City Thunder
- “Leave Me Alone,” BigXthaplug – Aaron Wiggins, Oklahoma City Thunder
- “Talibans II,” Burna Boy and Byron Messia – Luguentz Dort, Oklahoma City Thunder
- “Married To The Game,” Future – Alex Caruso, Oklahoma City Thunder
- “My Side of the Country” Mickey Guyton, Country Singer
