Excitement is off the charts for basketball fans as the highly anticipated NBA Cup final between the Milwaukee Bucks and the Oklahoma City Thunder is just hours away. But while the spotlight shines on the hardwood, golf enthusiasts are in for a treat too. The NBA Tees & Threes Golf Tournament kicked off on Monday, Dec. 16, at the Wynn Golf Course, offering something fresh for those with a love for greens and clubs. Among the familiar faces? None other than 2004 NBA champion Richard “Rip” Hamilton, stepped up to the tee and caught plenty of attention.

However, Hamilton wasn’t alone at this inaugural golf event. NBA Tees & Threes brought together an impressive roster of NBA legends, pro golfers, and celebrities alongside die-hard fans. Former NBA champ Gary Payton, professional golfer Pat Perez, Talor Gooch, and LPGA star Michelle Wie West joined the festivities. Adding fuel to the buzz, the NBA shared videos of Hamilton and the crew teeing off on their Instagram story—giving fans a sneak peek of the unique crossover event.

There was more for the fans. Fans had the option to watch golf-side or to play alongside the legends. The event also featured entertainment, gourmet dining and drinks, immersive on-course experiences, and photo ops.

However, Hamilton is no stranger to golf greens. His game has been well-recognized over the years—earning the top spot on former teammate Tayshaun Prince’s list of basketball golfers. During a candid chat on Beyond the Fairway, Prince even called Rip out for a golf challenge. While no one knows if the match ever happened, Rip recently made waves at the Masters Cup, showing he’s just as competitive swinging a club as he was hitting mid-range jumpers.

American football quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick offered a fun snapshot of the tournament vibe: “I ran into Rip Hamilton, and we had a great conversation. It’s his first time here, so Rip and I have been walking around, and the amount of people… I can’t take a selfie of you!” Clearly, Rip Hamilton’s presence is drawing plenty of smiles—and fans—on and off the course. Now he is set to enjoy the NBA Cup final.

Hamilton will enjoy the NBA Cup 2024

The anticipation is at an all-time high as the Emirates NBA Cup is set to take over Las Vegas in just a few hours. In the semifinals, the Milwaukee Bucks battled against the Atlanta Hawks while the Houston Rockets faced off with the Oklahoma City Thunder.

On Saturday night, Oklahoma City proved why they belong on this stage. The Thunder pulled away late to defeat the Houston Rockets 111-96, extending their winning streak to five games. On the other side, the Milwaukee Bucks handled business in their semifinal against the Atlanta Hawks, claiming a 110-102 victory. Although the title game won’t count toward league standings, the stakes couldn’t feel higher as OKC and Milwaukee set their sights on the trophy.

Interestingly, this is the first showdown between the two squads this season. Fans will have to wait until February and March for their regular-season matchups, but last year, they split their two meetings. Most notably, Milwaukee fell to OKC in April without their star duo—Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard—on the floor.

However, with a jaw-dropping $308,983 awaiting each player on the winning team, expect nothing less than an all-out battle for the Cup in Las Vegas tonight.