For the first time since the days of Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, the Milwaukee Bucks are headed to the NBA Finals.
The Bucks defeated the Atlanta Hawks 118-107 on Saturday to win the Eastern Conference finals in six games, despite missing Giannis Antetokounmpo (knee) for the last two-and-a-half games. Milwaukee will now face the Phoenix Suns for their first championship since 1971.
In Antetokounmpo’s stead, Khris Middleton upgraded from sidekick to hero. The Bucks veteran went off for 31 points on 10-of-22 shooting (4-of-10 from deep), seven assists, four rebounds and three steals. 23 of those points came in an incredible third quarter:
Jrue Holiday was the Bucks’ other player to step up big, scoring 27 points with nine rebounds, nine assists and four steals.
The Bucks led for the entire game, racing out to a 15-4 lead to open the game, then blowing the game wide open in the third quarter. They led by as much as 24 points early in the fourth quarter, but still had to hold off an Atlanta rally that cut the deficit to as little as six points.
News of Young’s availability was enough to make the Hawks 3.5-point favorites at BetMGM entering Game 6, but he didn’t exactly play like the offensive machine he was before sustaining a foot injury in Game 3.
Young finished with 14 points on 4-of-17 shooting, never really looking right after missing two games. The Hawks can hardly complain about injuries with the Bucks without a two-time MVP, but it’s still a significant what-if for the team’s fans.
Hawks’ surprising run comes to an end
The Hawks might have looked outmatched toward the end of the series, but there is still plenty to like about one of the NBA’s rising teams.
Young looks legitimately ahead of schedule as a franchise superstar at the age of 22. The Hawks have managed to surround Young with help young (John Collins, Kevin Huerter, Cam Reddish) and old (Lou Williams, Bogdan Bogdanovic, Danilo Gallinari). The Hawks defeated an upstart New York Knicks team then took out the top-seeded Philadelphia 76ers despite missing De’Andre Hunter, arguably their second-most important player, for the entire postseason.
Plenty can change at a moment’s notice in the NBA, but it’s hard not to like what Atlanta has going right now.
Will Giannis Antetokounmpo be ready for the NBA Finals?
No question looms bigger over the NBA Finals than the healthy of Antetokounmpo, who hyperextended his left knee in Game and has not played since.
The good news for the Bucks is Yahoo Sports’ Chris Haynes reported Friday that there was a belief Antetkounmpo would have suited up for a Game 7 if the Hawks had come out on top Saturday. Game 1 of the NBA Finals is obviously a smidge less serious than a do-or-die Game 7, so winning in six might allow the Bucks to be more cautious with their star.
If Antetokounmpo is ready to go, the Bucks will be the team closest to full strength the Suns have seen in the playoffs.
So far, Phoenix’s path has been through the Los Angeles Lakers with Anthony Davis fighting a groin injury, the Denver Nuggets without Jamal Murray and the Los Angeles Clippers without Kawhi Leonard. With Antetkounmpo back in the lineup, the only Bucks injury of note is Donte DiVincenzo, who has been out since May with an ankle injury.
Of course, even facing opponents missing stars, the Suns have been more good than lucky. Chris Paul, Devin Booker and Deandre Ayton have all shown out at different times, while Monty Williams has operated the team like a Coach of the Year winner.
Sure, there’s no LeBron James or Stephen Curry, but this figures to be as quality a Finals as you could hope for in a season that has felt like it’s bursting at the seams at times. At least one Wisconsin Badgers alum and Arizona Cardinals star is happy:
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