In a thrilling showdown that kept fans on the edge of their seats, Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks narrowly escaped with a 112-110 victory over the Atlanta Hawks, snapping a three-game losing streak that had fans holding their breath. But here’s where it gets intense: after blowing a staggering 23-point lead in the second half, the Bucks clawed their way back in the final minutes, leaving the Hawks to suffer their fourth consecutive loss on Martin Luther King Jr. Day—a game held in the very city that honors the civil rights legend.
The drama peaked with just over a minute left when Jalen Johnson’s 3-pointer gave the Hawks a 105-104 lead, only for AJ Green and Bobby Portis to fire back with back-to-back threes. And this is the part most people miss: after Johnson’s turnover, Antetokounmpo—who finished with 21 points and 17 rebounds—powered inside for a critical basket, putting the Bucks up 109-105 with 36 seconds remaining. The Hawks had one last gasp when Nickeil Alexander-Walker (who led Atlanta with 32 points) hit a three, but CJ McCollum’s off-balance shot rimmed out, sealing Milwaukee’s fate.
What makes this game even more fascinating is how the Hawks nearly pulled off the comeback despite missing their first 21 three-point attempts. Down 54-38 at halftime and 74-51 in the third quarter, Atlanta finally found their rhythm, with Johnson adding 28 points and 16 rebounds. Meanwhile, the Bucks showcased their depth, with six players scoring in double figures—a stark contrast to the Hawks’ reliance on individual heroics.
Here’s where it gets controversial: Milwaukee’s decision to bench Kevin Porter Jr., who had started all 22 games this season, raised eyebrows. After a brutal January that included an 0-for-9 shooting night against the Spurs, Porter was replaced by Kyle Kuzma in the starting lineup. He still played 28 minutes off the bench, contributing nine points, seven assists, and six rebounds, but the move begs the question: Was this the right call, or did it disrupt team chemistry? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.
The Hawks’ struggles at home continued, falling to 7-13 at State Farm Arena, while their road record sits at 13-12. Amid the action, Martin Luther King III and his wife, Arndrea Waters King, were honored during a timeout in the third quarter—a poignant reminder of the day’s significance.
Looking ahead, the Bucks return home to face the defending NBA champion Oklahoma City Thunder on Wednesday, while the Hawks travel to Memphis to take on the Grizzlies. But the real question remains: Can the Bucks build on this momentum, or will their inconsistency catch up to them? And can the Hawks turn their season around, or is this just another chapter in a disappointing campaign? Sound off below—we want to hear from you!
