Antetokounmpo scores 43 points, Bucks hold off Hawks 124-115

Published Mar. 9, 2022 10:38 p.m. ET

Associated Press

MILWAUKEE (AP) — Giannis Antetokounmpo had 43 points and 12 rebounds and the Milwaukee Bucks beat the Atlanta Hawks 124-115 on Wednesday night for their sixth straight victory.

Defending champion Milwaukee edged a half-game ahead of idle Philadelphia for second place in the Eastern Conference and moved within two games of first-place Miami, which lost at home to NBA-leading Phoenix.

Bobby Portis added 23 points and 15 rebounds, and Khris Middleton had 23 points and eight assists to help Milwaukee beat Atlanta for the first time in three tries this season.

Trae Young led Atlanta with 27 points and 11 assists, and De'Andre Hunter had 17 points.

The Hawks cut it to 118-112 on two free throws by Young with 2:40 remaining. But Young committed a turnover on Atlanta's next possession and Antetokounmpo drove past Clint Capela for a a layup to give the Bucks an eight-point lead with 2:02 left.

Hunter was called for an offensive foul and Hawks coach Nate McMillan walked onto the court picked up two technical fouls in a row to be ejected with 1:22 remaining.

Middleton made both free throws for the technicals and Antetokounmpo rebounded a miss and scored to give the Bucks a 124-112 lead.

LOPEZ PROGRESSING

Bucks center Brook Lopez has worked out this week with players from Milwaukee’s G-League team, the Wisconsin Herd.

Lopez is making progress to return to the team after being sidelined since the season opener due to back surgery. He has been able to go 5-on-5 with help from the Herd.

“It has been invaluable,” Bucks coach Mike Budenholzer said. “It’s one of the benefits of the G-League and having a team that’s close (in Oshkosh) and the schedule. Thank goodness, they weren’t on trip to Maine or wherever. Brook has done well. He’s making the right steps, the right progress. This is probably the most important (time).”

Budenholzer said Lopez will travel with the team on its upcoming four-game Western trip that starts Saturday against Golden State.

TIP-INS

Hawks: Kevin Huerter returned from a left shoulder injury suffered in a March 4 game at Washington. Huerter was in the starting lineup and finished with 16 points. Forward John Collins played for the third straight game after missing seven games with a strained foot. He scored just two points and was 0 for 9 from the field in 19 minutes.

Bucks: George Hill (neck soreness), Pat Connaughton (right finger surgery), Lindell Wigginton (right ankle sprain) and Lopez were out. Grayson Allen (left hip) returned from a one-game absence and contributed 11 points and five rebounds in 28 minutes.

UP NEXT

Hawks: Host Los Angeles Clippers on Friday night.

Bucks: At Golden State on Saturday night.