{"id":550858,"date":"2026-01-21T11:25:04","date_gmt":"2026-01-21T11:25:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/550858\/"},"modified":"2026-01-21T11:25:04","modified_gmt":"2026-01-21T11:25:04","slug":"milwaukee-bucks-vs-atlanta-hawks-preview-game-thread-need-to-course-correct","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/550858\/","title":{"rendered":"Milwaukee Bucks vs. Atlanta Hawks Preview & Game Thread: Need to course correct"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Milwaukee Bucks will try to forget one of the worst two-game stretches (based on point differential) and end a three-game losing streak against the Atlanta Hawks on the road for Martin Luther King Jr. Day. This is the first time these two Eastern Conference foes have met this season, though the Hawks took the season series 3-2 last year. The last time they played was on March 30, 2025, when the Hawks blew out the Bucks 145-124 in Milwaukee.<\/p>\n

Where We\u2019re At<\/p>\n

It\u2019s been a rough go for the Bucks over the last several games, after they won four of their previous five games before last Sunday against the Nuggets. That hasn\u2019t happened, as after losing to Denver by four without Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray, they lost by 33 at home to the Timberwolves without Anthony Edwards and Rudy Gobert. Then they lost to the Spurs on Thursday by 18, but the final score doesn\u2019t reflect how bad the game was for the Bucks, who trailed by 39 at one point and were blown out 40-16 in the third quarter. This game is crucial to re-enter the play-in race, as the Hawks are currently 10th with a 1.5-game lead over the 11th-seeded Bucks.<\/p>\n

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The Hawks are in a similar boat to the Bucks, post-Trae Young trade. They have a record of 2-3 in five games since the trade, but have lost their last three in blowout fashion. First losing by 25 to the Lakers on Tuesday, then to the Trail Blazers by 16 on Thursday, and in their return to Atlanta on Saturday, by 26 to the Celtics. C.J. McCollum has played four of five since Atlanta acquired him, averaging 17 points per game and shooting 39.4% from the floor and 13% from three-point range, for an effective field goal percentage of 41.7%.<\/p>\n

Injury Report<\/p>\n

There is only one Bucks player on the injury report, with Taurean Prince (neck) still out indefinitely.<\/p>\n

The Hawks will be without Kristaps Porzingis again, as he deals with some left Achilles tendinitis, plus N\u2019Faly Dante (torn ACL). The reigning Most Improved Player of the Year, Dyson Daniels, is questionable with a right ankle sprain. Zaccharie Risacher was a later addition to the injury report, and he\u2019ll miss out on this one with a bone contusion in his left knee.<\/p>\n

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Player To Watch<\/p>\n

This will be the fourth time this season the Bucks have played against McCollum. With the Wizards before the aforementioned Young deal, he hasn\u2019t been that good during his time in the ATL, but he\u2019s been a bit of a thorn in the Bucks\u2019 side. In their last meeting, McCollum scored four points in the final 30 seconds to give the Wizards a one-point win at Fiserv Forum on New Year\u2019s Eve. Maybe against a team he\u2019s had success against, McCollum will come out of his funk and give the Bucks some trouble again.<\/p>\n

How To Watch<\/p>\n

Peacock at noon CST.<\/p>\n

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