Giannis Antetokounmpo powers Bucks past Hawks 112-110 in Atlanta’s annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day game

Milwaukee stops skid, Atlanta’s late rally falls short

The Milwaukee Bucks ended a three-game losing streak Monday, January 19, 2026, holding off the Atlanta Hawks 112-110 at State Farm Arena in the NBA’s annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day showcase in Atlanta. Milwaukee built a 23-point second-half lead before withstanding a fourth-quarter surge that briefly pushed the Hawks in front.

Giannis Antetokounmpo finished with 21 points and 17 rebounds as the Bucks leaned on balance rather than one dominant scoring night; six Milwaukee players reached double figures. Atlanta was led by Nickeil Alexander-Walker with 32 points, while Jalen Johnson posted 28 points, 16 rebounds and six assists.

How the game swung: cold shooting, then a comeback

Atlanta’s offense was stifled early by missed perimeter looks and turnovers. The Hawks missed their first 21 three-point attempts and went into halftime down 54-38. Milwaukee extended that control into the third quarter, building a 74-51 advantage near the midway point of the period before Atlanta’s shot-making and pace began to change the game’s texture.

The Hawks’ rally culminated when Johnson hit a three-pointer to give Atlanta a 105-104 lead with 1:11 remaining, the first time the home team had been in front since the early stages. Milwaukee responded immediately, regaining control with timely perimeter shooting and a final interior finish from Antetokounmpo.

Closing sequence: threes, a turnover, then a missed last chance

With the Bucks trailing late, AJ Green and Bobby Portis knocked down back-to-back three-pointers. A Hawks turnover followed, and Antetokounmpo converted inside to push Milwaukee ahead 109-105 with 36 seconds to go.

Atlanta still had an opening after Alexander-Walker hit a late three and Milwaukee missed a free throw. On the Hawks’ final possession, CJ McCollum bobbled the ball and attempted an off-balance shot that did not fall, ending Atlanta’s last realistic chance to force overtime or steal the win.

Rotation change for Milwaukee

Milwaukee also made a notable lineup adjustment. Kyle Kuzma started in place of Kevin Porter Jr., a change after Porter had opened the season as a regular starter. Porter still played significant minutes off the bench and contributed nine points, seven assists and six rebounds.

• Final score: Bucks 112, Hawks 110
• Key Atlanta scorers: Alexander-Walker (32), Johnson (28)
• Key Milwaukee line: Antetokounmpo (21 points, 17 rebounds)

Atlanta’s loss extended its skid to four games, while Milwaukee left Atlanta with a needed win after nearly letting a large lead slip away.