MILWAUKEE (Interstat) — Nickeil Alexander-Walker scored 23 points and the Atlanta Hawks erased a 16-point, first-quarter deficit to defeat the Milwaukee Bucks 131-113 on Wednesday night at Fiserv Forum. The Hawks won their fifth consecutive game, improving to 32-31 and moving above .500 for the first time since mid-December. Onyeka Okongwu led Atlanta with 21 points. Giannis Antetokounmpo paced the Bucks with 24 points, but Milwaukee lost for the sixth time in seven games, falling to 26-35. Atlanta took control with a dominant 41-point second quarter, turning the early deficit into a 66-71 halftime lead. The Hawks then held Milwaukee to just 18 points in the third quarter to pull away decisively in front of a crowd of 14,889.

MILWAUKEE (Interstat) — The Atlanta Hawks, surging at precisely the right time, stormed back from a 16-point first-quarter deficit to emphatically defeat the Milwaukee Bucks 131-113 on Wednesday night at Fiserv Forum, moving above .500 for the first time in nearly three months. Nickeil Alexander-Walker led a balanced Atlanta attack with 23 points, but the night belonged to forward Onyeka Okongwu, who anchored a transformative defensive effort and contributed 21 points, eight rebounds and three blocks. His performance typified a complete team effort that saw the Hawks win their fifth consecutive game and improve their record to 32 wins and 31 losses. The game’s pivotal shift occurred in the second and third quarters, turning what began as a Milwaukee rout into a showcase of Atlanta’s resilience. The Bucks, led by Giannis Antetokounmpo’s 24 points, exploded early. They shot a blistering 71% in the first quarter, racing to a 38-25 lead behind Antetokounmpo’s dominance and hot shooting from role players like Ousmane Dieng and Kyle Kuzma. Milwaukee’s lead ballooned to 16 points in the second quarter, but the Hawks’ response was swift and decisive. The comeback was fueled by a 41-point second quarter, Atlanta’s highest-scoring period of the night. Jalen Johnson, who finished with 20 points and nine assists, and CJ McCollum, who added 18 points and eight assists, orchestrated the offense, while the defense began to stiffen. The most important stretch of the game, however, was a devastating third-quarter run by Atlanta that broke the contest open. After the Bucks took a 71-58 lead early in the period, the Hawks unleashed a 24-5 surge over the next six minutes. The run was a masterclass in both ends of the floor. Okongwu hit a trio of three-pointers during the stretch, showcasing an expanded offensive game, while the Hawks’ defense completely smothered Milwaukee’s attack. The Bucks, who scored 71 points in the first half, were held to just 18 points in the third quarter on 26% shooting. Atlanta forced eight Milwaukee turnovers in the period, converting them into easy transition opportunities. A key sequence saw Okongwu block consecutive shots by Dieng, embodying the defensive intensity that flipped the game. By the time the third quarter ended, Atlanta had turned a 13-point deficit into a 98-89 lead, outscoring Milwaukee 40-18 in the period. The fourth quarter offered no respite for the reeling Bucks. Atlanta continued its efficient offensive execution, shooting 52% from the field in the final period to extend its lead. Dyson Daniels provided crucial energy off the bench, recording a double-double with 14 points and 10 rebounds. The Hawks’ ball movement was exceptional, finishing with 36 assists on 49 made field goals. For Milwaukee, the loss was a continuation of a troubling slump, dropping them to 26-35. Despite Antetokounmpo’s efficiency and a strong all-around performance from guard Ryan Rollins, who tallied 13 points, eight rebounds and 12 assists, the Bucks’ defense had no answers after the first quarter. They have now lost three of their last four games. The victory holds significant weight for the Hawks beyond the standings. After reaching a high-water mark of 15-12 on Dec. 14, the team endured a seven-game losing skid that buried them below .500. This five-game winning streak, featuring dominant victories and this impressive road comeback, signals a team finding its form as the season enters its critical final stretch. Atlanta’s recent success has been built on consistency, particularly from Okongwu, who has posted double-doubles in four of his last five games. The Hawks will look to extend their streak when they host the Philadelphia 76ers on Saturday. Milwaukee, seeking to stop its slide, will face the Utah Jazz at home on the same night. An announced crowd of 14,889 at Fiserv Forum watched as the Hawks methodically dismantled the Bucks after the first quarter, proving that their winning record is no fluke but a product of a potent and suddenly stifling brand of basketball.

Preview: Hawks at Bucks, March 4, 2026 MILWAUKEE (Interstat) — Two Eastern Conference teams heading in opposite directions will meet Wednesday night when the Atlanta Hawks visit the Milwaukee Bucks at Fiserv Forum. The Hawks (31-31) arrive having won four of their last five games, including a dominant 135-101 victory over Portland on Sunday. Atlanta’s recent surge has pushed them back to .500 as they aim for a stronger playoff seeding. Conversely, the Bucks (26-34) are mired in a slump, losing three straight and seven of their last ten. They are coming off a 108-81 home loss to Boston on Monday, a performance that highlighted recent defensive struggles. A key player to watch is Atlanta forward Onyeka Okongwu, who is in the midst of a career-best stretch. Over his last four games, Okongwu is averaging a double-double with 14.5 points, 10.5 rebounds and 4.3 assists, capped by a 25-point, 10-rebound, 6-assist effort against the Trail Blazers. His versatile play has been central to Atlanta’s improved form. The Bucks will counter with their own star forward, Giannis Antetokounmpo, though the team has struggled to find consistent support around him. Milwaukee’s defense has allowed an average of 117.7 points during its three-game skid. This matchup is the second of three meetings this season between the teams. Milwaukee narrowly won the first contest, 112-110, in Atlanta on Jan. 19. They will meet again in Atlanta on March 14. For the Hawks, a victory would secure a winning record for the first time in weeks and continue their climb. For the reeling Bucks, the game represents a critical opportunity to halt their slide and protect their home court before embarking on a difficult upcoming road stretch. Wednesday’s tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. CST.