Milwaukee Bucks assistant coach Darvin Ham. Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images

Bucks assistant Darvin Ham's amazing NBA Cup streak finally ends

Originally posted on Larry Brown Sports
By Darryn Albert | Last updated Nov 26, 2025 11:34 PM ET

The generational run is finally over for Milwaukee Bucks assistant coach Darvin Ham.

Ham and the Bucks faced off on Wednesday night against the Miami Heat for an NBA Cup game at Kaseya Center in Miami, Florida. While Milwaukee, playing without star player Giannis Antetokounmpo (adductor), put up a tough fight, it was the Heat who walked away with the 106-103 victory in the end.

The loss by the Bucks ended an incredible streak in the NBA Cup for Ham.

He had previously gone a perfect 16-0 in NBA Cup play … until Wednesday’s defeat to the Heat.

Darvin Ham and Doc Rivers have finally lost an NBA Cup game.

Their legendary run comes to an end. pic.twitter.com/g4pCS7yM2y
— NBASTATS (@NBA_STATS_X) November 27, 2025

Ham was the head coach of the Los Angeles Lakers in 2022-23 when they went undefeated en route to winning the inaugural NBA Cup (which was then still known as the NBA In-Season Tournament). After getting fired by the Lakers in 2024, Ham then became the lead assistant coach for the Bucks under head coach Doc Rivers.

Last season, it was the Bucks who went undefeated to win the NBA Cup, extending Ham’s perfect streak even further (and inspiring Ham tournament invincibility jokes). Milwaukee then won its first two games of NBA Cup play this season … before Wednesday’s loss to Miami.

The Bucks have had a tough season overall, now sitting at 8-11 after the defeat (11th in the East). But as for Ham, he may soon be getting an opportunity elsewhere to return to the NBA head-coaching ranks.

This article first appeared on Larry Brown Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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