In an utterly disappointing showing, the Milwaukee Bucks collapsed at home against the Atlanta Hawks, losing 145-124 on March 30, 2025. This defeat marked the Bucks' fourth consecutive loss and their ninth in the last 13 games, leaving them struggling as they look ahead to the playoffs.
The Hawks were propelled by rookie Zaccharie Risacher, who scored a career-high 36 points, while Giannis Antetokounmpo led the Bucks with 31 points. The game started positively for Milwaukee, who led 44-37 after the first quarter, thanks to an explosive performance from Kyle Kuzma, who scored 14 points and shot 5/7 from beyond the arc.
However, the momentum shifted dramatically in the second quarter. Despite a strong start, Kuzma failed to score in the second, while Risacher found his rhythm, adding 13 points in the first half. The Hawks took advantage of Milwaukee's defensive lapses, leading 82-75 at halftime, having scored 82 points—the most the Bucks have allowed in a first half this season.
Milwaukee's defensive woes continued into the third quarter, where they appeared lifeless, allowing Atlanta to extend their lead to as much as 26 points. The Bucks struggled to find their footing and were defeated in transition, leading to a 118-92 deficit after three quarters. Although Milwaukee mounted a late comeback attempt, narrowing the gap to 12 points on two occasions in the fourth, it was too little, too late.
Head coach Doc Rivers acknowledged the team's struggles, stating, "The more I hear that voice in my head, the more I knew he was right," referring to advice from coaching legend Red Auerbach about minimizing turnovers and securing rebounds. Unfortunately for the Bucks, they failed to heed this advice, allowing the Hawks to score 26 points off 13 turnovers and another 17 points from 13 offensive rebounds during the game.
Despite the loss, Antetokounmpo's performance remains noteworthy as he continues his historic pace. With averages of 30.2 points, 12 rebounds, and 6 assists per game this season, he is on track to join elite company in the league's history. If he plays in three more games, he will qualify for end-of-season awards, including the MVP race, where he is expected to finish third at best.
On the other hand, the Hawks improved to 36-38, positioning themselves for a potential home game in the play-in tournament. Trae Young contributed 19 points and an impressive 19 assists, while Onyeka Okongwu added a double-double with 13 points and 10 rebounds. The Hawks' depth was evident, with Georges Niang scoring 17 points off the bench, further illustrating their offensive capabilities.
The Bucks shot an impressive 69% in the first half, hitting 50% from three-point range, but the Hawks matched their efficiency, shooting 57.1% overall. Milwaukee's inability to maintain their defensive intensity ultimately cost them the game.
As they look ahead, the Bucks face a challenging schedule, with upcoming games against the struggling Philadelphia 76ers and New Orleans Pelicans, which could provide opportunities for redemption. However, they must first address their defensive issues and find a way to regain their momentum.
With the playoffs approaching, every game counts, and the Bucks will need to rally together to secure their position. The loss to the Hawks is a wake-up call, and as Antetokounmpo stated, they need to be “the toughest, nastiest team out there” moving forward.
In conclusion, the Bucks' recent struggles raise questions about their readiness for the playoffs, especially without key players like Damian Lillard, who is out indefinitely with a blood clot in his right calf. The team must find a way to turn things around quickly if they hope to make a deep postseason run.
