The Milwaukee Bucks are looking to bounce back from a challenging stretch as they face the Atlanta Hawks on the road this Martin Luther King Jr. Day. This matchup marks the first meeting of the season between these two Eastern Conference rivals, who have a history of closely contested games. Last season, the Hawks edged the Bucks, winning the season series 3-2, with their most recent encounter resulting in a decisive Hawks victory, 145-124, in Milwaukee on March 30, 2025.
Recent performances have been tough for the Bucks, who had a promising start with four wins in five games before faltering in their last outings. They suffered a narrow loss to the Nuggets, missing star players Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray, followed by a staggering 33-point defeat at home against the Timberwolves, who played without Anthony Edwards and Rudy Gobert. The Bucks then faced the Spurs, losing by 18, although they trailed by as much as 39 during the game. This context makes Monday’s game crucial for the Bucks, who are trying to secure a spot in the play-in race, currently sitting just behind the 10th-seeded Hawks by 1.5 games.
The Hawks have also been struggling, particularly following the trade of Trae Young. They hold a 2-3 record in their last five games and have suffered three consecutive losses, including a 25-point defeat to the Lakers and a 26-point loss to the Celtics in their last outing. Newly acquired C.J. McCollum has averaged 17 points per game since joining the Hawks, but he has faced challenges with efficiency, particularly from three-point range.
On the injury front, the Bucks only have Taurean Prince (neck) listed as out indefinitely. The Hawks will be without Kristaps Porzingis due to left Achilles tendinitis and N’Faly Dante, who is recovering from a torn ACL. Additionally, reigning Most Improved Player Dyson Daniels is questionable with an ankle sprain, and Zaccharie Risacher is sidelined with a knee contusion.
A player to keep an eye on is C.J. McCollum, who has faced the Bucks multiple times this season. While he struggled with his performance in Atlanta, his history of impactful plays against the Bucks could mean he poses a significant challenge. In their last meeting, he contributed crucial points to secure a win for his previous team, hinting that he could find his rhythm again in this matchup.
Fans can catch the game live on Peacock at noon CST, as both teams aim to turn their seasons around and secure vital wins on this significant holiday.