MILWAUKEE (AP) — Milwaukee Bucks general manager Jon Horst says Giannis Antetokounmpo doesn't need any type of offseason procedure for the left knee that the two-time MVP hyperextended during the team’s NBA title run. “He’s fine,” Horst said Friday. “I can’t explain it, but he’s fine.” Antetokounmpo hurt his knee in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference finals when he landed awkwardly after attempting to block a dunk attempt by Atlanta Hawks center Clint Capela. Antetokounmpo later said he worried that he’d be out for a year. He sat out the last two games of the Eastern Conference finals – the Bucks won both contests to take the series 4-2 – but returned for the next series and ended up earning NBA Finals MVP honors. Antetokounmpo averaged an astounding 35.2 points, 13.2 rebounds and 5 assists to help the Bucks beat the Phoenix Suns 4-2 and earn their first championship in 50 years. “I think when you start thinking about your knee or thinking about your toe or pinky or whatever the case might... [More]

ATLANTA (AP) — Atlanta Hawks general manager Travis Schlenk moved quickly to lock down Nate McMillan as the full-time coach, reaching an agreement to remove the interim tag only two days after team's season ended. The deal comes after McMillan, in his interim role, led the team to an improbable run to the Eastern Conference finals. Schlenk said Monday that “an agreement in place in principal” was reached earlier in the day with McMillan. “We’re just drawing up the contract,” Schlenk said. The team is expected to officially announce the deal on Tuesday. Details were not immediately available. McMillan, 56, was named interim coach after Lloyd Pierce was fired when the team had a 14-20 record. The Hawks enjoyed an immediate turnaround under McMillan. They played better late in games, protecting leads while posting a 27-11 mark that gave them the No. 5 seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs. It was Atlanta's first playoff berth since 2017. The Hawks were underdogs in beating the New York Knicks... [More]

ATLANTA (AP) — As the final seconds ticked off on a season that lasted far longer than anyone expected, the crowd rose to its feet to salute the home team. The Atlanta Hawks sure earned the cheers. Making an improbable turnaround from what looked like another lost year, the Hawks earned a spot in the playoffs for the first time since 2017, knocked off the top-seeded team in the East, and made it all the way to the conference finals. The Cinderella run finally ended Saturday night with a 118-107 loss to the Milwaukee Bucks, who won the series 4-2 and advanced to the NBA Finals to take on the Phoenix Suns. But the disappointing finish did nothing to dampen the enthusiasm of a long-downtrodden franchise that seems poised for more long-term success than at any time since moving to Atlanta in 1968. “This is the beginning,” Trae Young said. “We have the city excited and we want to keep it like that.” The Hawks will likely bring back largely the same cast next season, though they do have two major... [More]

ATLANTA (AP) — The Atlanta Hawks had top scorer Trae Young back in their starting lineup for Game 6 of the Eastern Conference finals on Saturday night, when Milwaukee's Giannis Antetokounmpo sat out again. Antetokounmpo, the two-time MVP, missed his second straight game in the series, which the Bucks were leading 3-2. Antetokounmpo hyperextended his left knee in Game 4 after landing awkwardly trying to contest a dunk by Clint Capela. Bobby Portis got his second straight playoff start after scoring 22 points and grabbing eight rebounds in Milwaukee's 123-112 victory Thursday night. Young was cleared about an hour before the game after being listed as questionable on the NBA's Saturday injury report. Coach Nate McMillan said Young would be a game-time decision. Young missed the two previous games with a bone bruise in his right foot after inadvertently stepping on an official's foot and twisting his ankle in Game 3. The Hawks proclaimed Young's return by announcing “He's back” on the team's... [More]

ATLANTA (AP) — Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo has been ruled out of Game 6 Saturday of the Eastern Conference final against the Atlanta Hawks. The two-time MVP will miss his second straight game in the series, which the Bucks were leading 3-2. Antetokounmpo hyperextended his left knee in Game 4 after landing awkwardly trying to contest a dunk by Clint Capela. Bobby Portis was expected to get his second straight playoff start after scoring 22 points and grabbing eight rebounds in Milwaukee's 123-112 victory Thursday night. Atlanta's best player, point guard Trae Young, was still listed as questionable on the NBA's Saturday injury report and likely to be a game-time decision. He missed the two previous games with a bone bruise in his right foot after inadvertently stepping on an official's foot and twisting his ankle in Game 3. Veteran sixth man Lou Williams started the last two games for the Hawks. Milwaukee can clinch its first trip to the NBA Finals since 1974 with one more victory over the Hawks, who haven't reach the championship round since moving to Atlanta in 1968. The East winner will face the Phoenix Suns in the finals. ___ More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

MILWAUKEE (AP) — Giannis Antetokounmpo is out for Game 5 of the Eastern Conference finals on Thursday night. The Milwaukee Bucks had said Wednesday the two-time MVP was doubtful after an MRI revealed he hyperextended his left knee during Game 4 against Atlanta. A revised injury report Thursday listed him as unable to play. Antetokounmpo hurt his knee while trying to block a dunk attempt by Clint Capela in the third quarter of the Hawks’ 110-88 victory. He landed awkwardly, clutched his knee in obvious pain and remained down for several minutes before walking slowly to the locker room. The Bucks and Hawks are tied at two games apiece. Antetokounmpo has been averaging 28.2 points, 12.7 rebounds and 5.2 assists in the postseason. Bobby Portis is replacing Antetokounmpo in the starting lineup Thursday. “It’s not something where you ... need to consciously think, ‘I need to do more,’ “ Bucks guard Pat Connaughton said after Thursday’s shootaround about the prospect of playing without Antetokounmpo.... [More]

MILWAUKEE (AP) — Atlanta Hawks guard Trae Young will join Milwaukee’s Giannis Antetokounmpo in sitting out Game 5 of the Eastern Conference finals Thursday night due to injuries. Young, who had been listed as questionable with a bone bruise in his right foot, will miss a second straight game. “He’s feeling a little better, but not good enough to put on the uniform tonight," Hawks coach Nate McMillan said. Young did note that center Clint Capela would be available to play Thursday. Capela, who has inflammation in his right eye, also had been listed as questionable. The Hawks and Bucks are tied at two games apiece heading into Game 5. The Hawks announced Young’s status hours after the Bucks declared Antetokounmpo out for Thursday’s game due to a hyperextended left knee. Antetokounmpo landed awkwardly after trying to block a Capela dunk attempt in the third quarter of Atlanta’s 110-88 Game 4 victory on Tuesday. Young got hurt while accidentally stepping on an official’s foot along the sideline in the Hawks’ 113-102 Game 3 loss. Lou Williams will replace Young in the starting lineup for a second straight game. Williams made his first career postseason start in Game 4 and collected 21 points and eight assists. Capela was struck in the right eye by an inadvertent elbow from Bucks guard Sam Merrill on a play under the basket late in the fourth quarter of Game 4. ___ More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

MILWAUKEE (AP) — Atlanta Hawks guard Trae Young will join Milwaukee’s Giannis Antetokounmpo in sitting out Game 5 of the Eastern Conference finals Thursday night due to injuries. Young, who had been listed as questionable with a bone bruise in his right foot, will miss a second straight game. “He’s feeling a little better, but not good enough to put on the uniform tonight," Hawks coach Nate McMillan said. Young did note that center Clint Capela would be available to play Thursday. Capela, who has inflammation in his right eye, also had been listed as questionable. The Hawks and Bucks are tied at two games apiece heading into Game 5. The Hawks announced Young’s status hours after the Bucks declared Antetokounmpo out for Thursday’s game due to a hyperextended left knee. Antetokounmpo landed awkwardly after trying to block a Capela dunk attempt in the third quarter of Atlanta’s 110-88 Game 4 victory on Tuesday. Young got hurt while accidentally stepping on an official’s foot along the sideline in the Hawks’ 113-102 Game 3 loss. Capela was struck in the right eye by an inadvertent elbow from Bucks guard Sam Merrill on a play under the basket late in the fourth quarter of Game 4. ___ More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

MILWAUKEE (AP) — Giannis Antetokounmpo is out for Game 5 of the Eastern Conference finals on Thursday night. The Milwaukee Bucks had said Wednesday the two-time MVP was doubtful after an MRI revealed he hyperextended his left knee during Game 4 against Atlanta. A revised injury report Thursday listed him as unable to play. Antetokounmpo hurt his knee while trying to block a dunk attempt by Clint Capela in the third quarter of the Hawks’ 110-88 victory. He landed awkwardly, clutched his knee in obvious pain and remained down for several minutes before walking slowly to the locker room. The Bucks and Hawks are tied at two games apiece. Antetokounmpo has been averaging 28.2 points, 12.7 rebounds and 5.2 assists in the postseason. The revised injury report still lists Atlanta’s Trae Young and Capela as questionable. Young missed Game 4 because of a bone bruise in his right foot. Capela's right eye is inflamed after after taking an inadvertent elbow to the face late in Game 4. The Bucks haven't... [More]

MILWAUKEE (AP) — Giannis Antetokounmpo is out for Game 5 of the Eastern Conference finals on Thursday night. The Milwaukee Bucks had said Wednesday that the two-time MVP was doubtful after an MRI revealed he hyperextended his left knee during Game 4 against Atlanta. A revised injury report Thursday listed him as out. Antetokounmpo hurt his knee while trying to block a dunk attempt by Clint Capela in the third quarter of the Hawks’ 110-88 victory He landed awkwardly, clutched his knee in obvious pain and remained down for several minutes before walking slowly to the locker room. The Bucks and Hawks are tied at two games apiece. Antetokounmpo has been averaging 28.2 points, 12.7 rebounds and 5.2 assists in the postseason. The revised injury report still lists Atlanta’s Trae Young and Capela as questionable. Young missed Game 4 because of a bone bruise in his right foot. Capela's right eye is inflamed after after taking an inadvertent elbow to the face late in Game 4. ___ More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

ATLANTA (AP) — The Atlanta Hawks are dealing with another injury that could affect their preparations for Game 5 of the Eastern Conference final. Clint Capela, the Hawks' top rebounder and one of the NBA's best defensive players, took an inadvertent elbow to the face in the closing minutes of a 110-88 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks on Tuesday night. In a postseason filled with significant injures, Capela was struck in the right eye by Bucks guard Sam Merrill on a play under the basket. The Hawks center left the court with a towel over his face and did not return. After being examined shortly after the game by the team ophthalmologist and checked again after the team arrived in Milwaukee, Capela was listed as questionable for Game 5 with eye inflammation. The Hawks evened the series 2-2 despite missing star guard Trae Young, who injured his right ankle in a freak accident when he stepped on an official's foot along the sideline in Game 3. With veteran Lou Williams filling in for Young... [More]

MILWAUKEE (AP) — Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo is doubtful for Game 5 of the Eastern Conference finals on Thursday after undergoing an MRI on his injured left knee. Bucks officials said the two-time MVP hyperextended his left knee in the third quarter of a 110-88 game 4 loss to the Atlanta Hawks on Tuesday night. The Bucks announced Wednesday that an MRI confirmed that diagnosis and said he'd be listed as doubtful for Thursday's game. “We’ll just take it day by day and see how he’s doing," Bucks coach Mike Budenholzer said. “When you talk about the range of possibilities, I think where this has landed has to be looked at as a positive," Budenholzer added. “It’s still a really difficult fall." Antetokounmpo was attempting to block a dunk attempt by Atlanta’s Clint Capela when he landed awkwardly. He clutched his knee in obvious pain and remained down for several minutes before walking slowly to the locker room. He briefly went back to the Bucks’ bench and then returned to... [More]

ATLANTA (AP) — The Atlanta Hawks are dealing with another injury that could affect their preparations for Game 5 of the Eastern Conference final. Clint Capela, the Hawks' top rebounder and one of the NBA's best defensive players, took an inadvertent elbow to the face in the closing minutes of a 110-88 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks on Tuesday night. In a postseason filled with significant injures, Capela was struck in the right eye by Bucks guard Sam Merrill on a play under the basket. The Hawks center left the court with a towel over his face and did not return. After being examined shortly after the game by the team ophthalmologist and checked again after the team arrived in Milwaukee, Capela was listed as questionable for Game 5 with eye inflammation. The Hawks evened the series 2-2 despite missing star guard Trae Young, who injured his right ankle in a freak accident when he stepped on an official's foot along the sideline in Game 3. With veteran Lou Williams filling in for Young... [More]

MILWAUKEE (AP) — Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo is doubtful for Game 5 of the Eastern Conference finals on Thursday after undergoing an MRI on his injured left knee. Bucks officials said the two-time MVP hyperextended his left knee in the third quarter of a 110-88 game 4 loss to the Atlanta Hawks on Tuesday night. The Bucks announced Wednesday that an MRI confirmed that diagnosis and said he'd be listed as doubtful for Thursday's game. “We’ll just take it day by day and see how he’s doing," Bucks coach Mike Budenholzer said. “When you talk about the range of possibilities, I think where this has landed has to be looked at as a positive," Budenholzer added. “It’s still a really difficult fall." Antetokounmpo was attempting to block a dunk attempt by Atlanta’s Clint Capela when he landed awkwardly. He clutched his knee in obvious pain and remained down for several minutes before walking slowly to the locker room. He briefly went back to the Bucks’ bench and then returned to... [More]

MILWAUKEE (AP) — Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo is doubtful for Game 5 of the Eastern Conference finals on Thursday after undergoing an MRI on his injured left knee. Bucks officials said the two-time MVP hyperextended his left knee in the third quarter of a 110-88 game 4 loss to the Atlanta Hawks on Tuesday night. The Bucks announced Wednesday that an MRI confirmed that diagnosis and said he'd be listed as doubtful for Thursday's game. “We’ll take it day by day and see how he’s doing," Bucks coach Mike Budenholzer said. “When you talk about the range of possibilities, I think where this has landed has to be looked at as a positive," Budenholzer added. “It’s still a really difficult fall." Antetokounmpo was attempting to block a dunk attempt by Atlanta’s Clint Capela when he landed awkwardly. He clutched his knee in obvious pain and remained down for several minutes before walking slowly to the locker room. He briefly went back to the Bucks’ bench and then returned to the... [More]

ATLANTA (AP) — The Atlanta Hawks are dealing with another injury that could affect their preparations for Game 5 of the Eastern Conference final. Clint Capela, the Hawks' top rebounder and one of the NBA's best defensive players, took an inadvertent elbow to the face in the closing minutes of a 110-88 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks on Tuesday night. In a postseason filled with significant injures, Capela was struck around his nose and right eye by Bucks guard Sam Merrill on a play under the basket. The Hawks center left the court with a towel over his face and did not return. Atlanta coach Nate McMillan said he expected to receive an update on Capela's condition later Wednesday while the Hawks are en route to Milwaukee for Game 5. The series is tied 2-2. The Hawks evened it up despite missing star guard Trae Young, who injured his right ankle in a freak accident when he stepped on an official's foot along the sideline in Game 3. With veteran Lou Williams filling in for Young and scoring... [More]

ATLANTA (AP) — The Milwaukee Bucks suddenly are facing the daunting challenge of possibly having to move forward in their Eastern Conference finals without their two-time MVP. Giannis Antetokounmpo sustained a hyperextension of his left knee and and was forced out of the Bucks' Eastern Conference finals game against the Atlanta Hawks on Tuesday night. “It’s not good,” Bucks forward P.J. Tucker said. “It’s not good losing anybody on your team and losing your best player stinks.” The Hawks won 110-88, evening the best-of-seven series at 2-2. Antetokounmpo’s status for Game 5 at Milwaukee on Thursday night is not known. Antetokounmpo was defending a jam by Hawks center Clint Capela with 7:14 remaining in the third quarter when his left knee appeared to buckle. He fell to the floor in obvious pain, grimacing and clutching his knee. Bucks coach Mike Budenholzer said the team would learn more about Antetokounmpo's status on Wednesday. “We’ll take everything as it comes," Budenholzer said. "We’ll... [More]

ATLANTA (AP) — Two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo sustained a hyperextension of his left knee and and was forced out of the Milwaukee Bucks' Eastern Conference finals game against the Atlanta Hawks on Tuesday night. Antetokounmpo was defending a jam by Hawks center Clint Capela with 7:14 remaining in the third quarter when his left knee appeared to buckle. He fell to the floor in obvious pain, grimacing and clutching his knee. Antetokounmpo remained down for several minutes before rising and slowly walking to the locker room. He was supported by his brother, Thanasis Antetokounmpo, and a staff member, as he left the court. Giannis Antetokounmpo returned to the bench briefly before again heading to the locker room after the Hawks blew open the game by extending their lead to 20 points. Soon after, the Bucks announced he would not return. The Hawks won 110-88. Antetokounmpo's status for Game 5 at Milwaukee on Thursday night is not known. Following a slow start to the game, Antetokounmpo had scored eight of his 14 points in the opening minutes of the second half. Following the jam by Capela, the Hawks led 62-52 when the Bucks' star left the game. The Hawks were without their leading scorer, Trae Young, who was held out with a bone bruise in his right ankle. ___ More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

ATLANTA (AP) — Two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo sustained a hyperextension of his left knee and will not return to the Milwaukee Bucks' Eastern Conference finals game against the Atlanta Hawks on Tuesday night. Antetokounmpo was defending a jam by Hawks center Clint Capela with 7:14 remaining in the third quarter when his left knee appeared to buckle. He fell to the floor in obvious pain, grimacing and clutching his knee. Antetokounmpo remained down for several minutes before rising and slowly walking to the locker room. He was supported by his brother, Thanasis Antetokounmpo, and a staff member, as he left the court. Giannis Antetokounmpo returned to the bench briefly before again heading to the locker room after the Hawks blew open the game by extending their lead to 20 points. Soon after, the Bucks announced he would not return to the game. Antetokounmpo's status for Game 5 at Milwaukee on Thursday night is not known. Following a slow start to the game, Antetokounmpo had scored eight of his 14 points in the opening minutes of the second half. Following the jam by Capela, the Hawks led 62-52 when the Bucks' star left the game. The Hawks are without their leading scorer, Trae Young, who was held out with a bone bruise in his right ankle. ___ More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

Giannis Antetokounmpo had no problem with his free throws — or his opponent — in Game 2. The Milwaukee Bucks' lopsided victory over the Atlanta Hawks in the Eastern Conference finals overshadowed all the pregame concerns about his lengthy free-throw routine. Antetokounmpo made three of four free throws and never faced any issues about violations of the 10-second rule in the Bucks' 125-91 runaway win that evened the series at 1-1. Game 3 is Sunday night in Atlanta. Officials entered the game facing renewed pressure to enforce the 10-second rule. The controversy placed Antetokounmpo, the two-time MVP, further in the spotlight. He thrived under pressure, scoring 25 points with nine rebounds and six assists. Antetokounmpo made one of two free throws in his first visit to the line with 3:24 remaining in the first period and both free throws in his only other opportunity late in the first half. He appeared to find a mix between sticking to his routine without taking the full 10 seconds. He insisted... [More]