Bucks Survive Hawks Comeback In Thrilling MLK Day Game

The NBA’s annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day matinee in Atlanta delivered all the drama and intensity fans could hope for, as the Milwaukee Bucks narrowly held off the Atlanta Hawks, 112-110, in a game packed with momentum swings, standout performances, and meaningful moments on and off the court. The clash at State Farm Arena on January 19, 2026, not only snapped Milwaukee’s three-game losing streak but also sent the Hawks to their fourth consecutive defeat, adding another chapter to the ongoing battle for Eastern Conference playoff positioning.

Coming into this matchup, both teams were desperate to reverse recent fortunes. The Hawks, sitting at 20-24 and holding the No. 10 spot in the East, were just ahead of the Bucks at 17-24 in the No. 11 slot. Each team had dropped three straight, making this MLK Day contest more than just a ceremonial fixture—it was a must-win for squads with postseason aspirations and plenty to prove. The oddsmakers gave Atlanta a slight edge as 2.5-point home favorites, with the over/under set at 231.5 points, but it was Milwaukee who ultimately found a way to get the job done when it mattered most.

From the opening tip, the Bucks displayed a renewed energy, perhaps sparked by head coach Doc Rivers’ decision to shake up the starting lineup. Rivers moved Kyle Kuzma into the starting five alongside Giannis Antetokounmpo, AJ Green, Ryan Rollins, and Myles Turner, benching Kevin Porter Jr. to add more size and defensive presence. The move paid early dividends, as Milwaukee’s new-look group helped build a commanding 21-point lead in the third quarter. The Bucks’ bench, featuring Bobby Portis Jr., Porter, Gary Harris, and two-way player Pete Nance, contributed significantly to a 13-0 run to open the second quarter, pushing Milwaukee ahead by 16 before Antetokounmpo re-entered the fray.

Pete Nance, who had seen limited NBA action prior to this game, seized his opportunity with hustle plays, a blocked shot, and a key assist on a Green three-pointer. "I think a lot of credit to my teammates," Nance said after the game. "Everybody was encouraging me or giving me a lot of confidence while I was out there and they were confident in me. Which allows me to be confident in myself. And it was great to be out there with everybody, for sure." His efforts were echoed by Antetokounmpo, who praised Nance’s maturity and readiness: "I think we found something tonight – I like Pete off the bench. He's a two-way contract but he's a guy who plays hard, is extremely smart, he knows how to move the ball. He knows how to get the ball to the second side on DHO (dribble handoff) and just get everybody involved, which for his age, is incredible."

The Hawks, however, refused to fold. Led by Jalen Johnson and Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Atlanta stormed back in the second half. Johnson, who has grown into a central figure for the Hawks since the franchise traded Trae Young and shifted into a new phase of its rebuild, poured in 28 points on 24 shots. Alexander-Walker was even more electric, exploding for 32 points—including a scorching 17 in the fourth quarter, where he drained five of six from deep. CJ McCollum, another key contributor, added 17 points, with 12 coming in the final frame as the Hawks erased Milwaukee’s lead and briefly surged ahead in the closing minutes.

But when the pressure mounted, it was the Bucks’ veterans who delivered. With under a minute to play and the game tied, Giannis Antetokounmpo found Portis on the perimeter for a go-ahead three-pointer, giving Milwaukee a 107-105 lead with 54 seconds left. On the ensuing Atlanta possession, Antetokounmpo’s defensive instincts took over as he swiped the ball from Johnson and ignited a fast break, finishing with a layup after a give-and-go with Portis. "It's something we work on all the time," Portis said of the clutch sequence. "Giannis trusted me with the pass and when he closed out just shot fake, replace and let it fly, hold your follow through. Good play. We've been doing that for years, too."

Even as Alexander-Walker trimmed the deficit to one with a late bucket and Rollins split a pair of free throws, the Bucks’ defense held firm. With just seconds remaining, Milwaukee forced McCollum into a tough, contested 20-footer that clanged off the rim. Antetokounmpo corralled the rebound, sealing the victory and sending the Bucks’ sideline into celebration.

Antetokounmpo finished with a stat-stuffing line: 21 points on 7-of-12 shooting, 17 rebounds, and six assists. Though he attempted only four shots in the crucial fourth quarter, his playmaking and gravity created opportunities for teammates. "You gotta make the play, you gotta make the right read, you gotta be in the moment and the read was in front of me," Antetokounmpo explained. "It doesn't matter if I've shot 10 times, two times, you gotta make the right read." Portis added 19 points off the bench, while AJ Green contributed 18.

After the game, Doc Rivers reflected on the lineup changes and the importance of finding consistency: "When you do that you have to separate the guards, and our second unit was all plus tonight. I thought it went really well for us." Rivers, who spent eight seasons in Atlanta as a player, also spoke on the significance of the MLK Day showcase and the city’s enduring impact on his life and perspective. "This city made a lot of what I’m about," Rivers said. "And those people, those pioneers, were very important in my life. Still are." He praised the NBA and commissioner Adam Silver for honoring Dr. King’s legacy and underscored the importance of remembering and learning from history.

With the win, the Bucks improved to 18-24, keeping their playoff hopes alive and moving a step closer to the coveted Play-In Tournament spot. The Hawks, now 20-25, are left searching for answers after a fourth straight loss, despite the promise shown by Johnson and Alexander-Walker. As both teams look ahead to the second half of the season, the tight race in the Eastern Conference promises even more intrigue and high-stakes basketball.

The MLK Day matinee in Atlanta lived up to its billing—a showcase of resilience, star power, and the enduring spirit of the NBA. The Bucks’ ability to regroup after blowing a big lead and make clutch plays down the stretch could serve as a turning point, while the Hawks’ young core continues to gain valuable experience in pressure-packed moments. For now, Milwaukee walks away with a hard-fought win and a renewed sense of optimism as the playoff chase heats up.