The Milwaukee Bucks are back in the Eastern Conference finals for the second time in three years after outlasting the Brooklyn Nets in seven games. They take on a surprising Atlanta Hawks team that continues to win despite being such a young and inexperienced playoff team. The two square off for the chance at an NBA championship, which began Wednesday night in Game 1. After three quarters of the Hawks and Bucks going back and forth, it is Atlanta that owns a slim lead entering the final 12 minutes of play.
Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Bucks seek their first Finals appearance since 1974. One advantage in their favor: Giannis is 5-0 all-time against Trae Young. Meanwhile, the Hawks last reached the Finals in 1961 when the franchise was in St. Louis. Getting to the ECF was no easy feat for both teams as each had to overcome series deficits in the second round. The Bucks are riding a 13-game home winning streak, including a 5-0 mark at Fiserv Forum this postseason. They are 14-2 at home in the playoffs since 2018.
For more on the NBA playoffs, we’ve got you covered with the round-by-round playoff schedule, a breakdown of our expert predictions for both the conference finals round and the entire postseason. Follow below for all the real-time updates throughout Game 1 between the Hawks and Bucks.