The Milwaukee Bucks play the Atlanta Hawks on January 19, 2026, in a game shaped by injuries on both sides. It is an Eastern Conference matchup where rotations matter more than name value, and where execution is likely to decide the result.Both teams are still trying to find consistency. Atlanta comes in short-handed and trying to stop a slide. Milwaukee has been uneven for weeks but enters with a healthier roster. On a day when many games lean into ceremony, this one comes down to basic things: who defends better, who rebounds, and who takes care of the ball late.
Atlanta Hawks’ injury issues vs Milwaukee Bucks (January 18, 2026)
Atlanta Hawks’ frontcourt has taken multiple hits. N’Faly Dante remains out after an ACL tear. Zaccharie Risacher will not play due to a left knee bone contusion. Kristaps Porzingis is also out, dealing with left Achilles tendinitis and now missing his fifth straight game. His absence removes rim protection and spacing that Atlanta has struggled to replace.Dyson Daniels is listed as questionable with a right ankle sprain. If he sits, Atlanta may be forced into smaller lineups, which affects both defense and rebounding. His status is one of the biggest unknowns going into tip-off.
Milwaukee Bucks’ injury issues vs Atlanta Hawks (January 18, 2026)
Milwaukee Bucks do not carry the same level of injury concern into this game. The Bucks are 17-24 and still searching for rhythm, but their rotation is more stable. That matters against an Atlanta team already adjusting on the fly.Recent wins over Denver and Dallas showed that Milwaukee can compete when its defense holds. Those performances also highlighted the issue that has followed the team all season: when defensive focus drops, games slip away quickly.
Milwaukee Bucks vs Atlanta Hawks Players driving each side
Atlanta Hawks continue to rely on Jalen Johnson, who is averaging 21.4 points, 9.2 rebounds, and 8.0 assists. Onyeka Okongwu has been steady inside with 16.2 points and 8.1 rebounds. If Daniels plays, his ability to generate steals could disrupt Milwaukee’s ball movement.For Milwaukee Bucks, Kevin Porter Jr. leads the offense with 17.7 points and 7.8 assists per game. Ryan Rollins has taken on a larger role, averaging 14.5 points and 5.2 assists, while also spacing the floor with 2.2 made threes per game.
How the game may play out
Atlanta scores more overall but also gives up more points. Milwaukee’s edge comes from depth and availability. If the Bucks stay disciplined defensively, they are positioned to pull away late.The expectation is a close game that opens up in the final minutes. Milwaukee has the clearer path to a 118-112 win, though Daniels playing would narrow that margin quickly.