MIKE BUDENHOLZER

Trae Young scored 30 points and the struggling Atlanta Hawks rallied for a 121-114 victory over thee Milwaukee Bucks to snap a 10-game home losing streak.

Warriors Bucks Basketball Milwaukee Bucks' Bobby Portis reacts after making a three-point basket during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Golden State Warriors Thursday, Jan. 13, 2022, in Milwaukee. Budenholzer missed four games while in the health and safety protocols, with assistant Darvin Ham taking over as acting head coach. Last season, the Bucks beat the Warriors 138-99 in a Christmas Day matchup in front of no spectators at Fiserv Forum. “Part of the process of his recovery is he’s not going to play back-to-backs early on,” Warriors coach Steve Kerr said. Bucks: George Hill returned after missing four games while in health and safety protocols.

Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 30 points and had his third triple-double of the season to help Milwaukee rout the Golden State Warriors 118-99 on Thursday night in Bucks coach Mike Budenholzer’s return from the NBA’s COVID-19 protocols.

Another NBA head coach has entered the league's health and safety protocols.

Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 31 points in his return from a one-game absence, Khris Middleton added 15 of his 20 in the third quarter and the Milwaukee Bucks blew out the Brooklyn Nets 121-109.

Bucks Mavericks Basketball Milwaukee Bucks head coach Mike Budenholzer yells from the sidelines during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Dallas Mavericks in Dallas, Thursday, Dec. 23, 2021. (AP Photo/LM Otero) (LM Otero)MILWAUKEE — (AP) — Mike Budenholzer has entered the NBA's health and safety protocols and Giannis Antetokounpo is sidelined with an illness unrelated to COVID-19, leaving the Milwaukee Bucks without their coach and star player Wednesday night against Toronto. The Bucks didn’t specify the nature of the NBA Finals MVP's illness. Guards Grayson Allen and George Hill, along with forward Pat Connaughton, also entered protocols on Wednesday. Ham, a former player who spent time with the Bucks, has been an NBA assistant for 11 years.

Mike Budenholzer has entered the NBA’s health and safety protocols and Giannis Antetokounpo is sidelined with an illness unrelated to COVID-19, leaving the Milwaukee Bucks without their coach and star player against Toronto.

Giannis Antetokounmpo had 28 points, Bobby Portis scored 17 of his 19 points in the first half and the Milwaukee Bucks defeated the Orlando Magic 127-110 on Tuesday night.

Giannis Antetokounmpo came back from a two-game absence and scored 27 points on his 27th birthday to help the Milwaukee Bucks defeat the Cleveland Cavaliers 112-104.

TORONTO — (AP) — Fred VanVleet scored 13 of his 29 points in the fourth quarter and the Toronto Raptors took advantage of Giannis Antetokounmpo sitting out with a sore right calf to beat Milwaukee 97-93 Thursday night, ending the Bucks’ winning streak at eight. Antetokounmpo sat one day after he scored 40 points as Milwaukee beat Charlotte 127-125. VanVleet scored 26 of his 29 points in the second half after making one of three attempts in the first two quarters. Cousins scored seven points in 15 minutes in his Bucks debut Wednesday. Raptors: Toronto snapped a five-game home losing streak against the Bucks.

Jrue Holiday scored 18 points and the Milwaukee Bucks grabbed their biggest halftime lead in franchise history on their way to a 123-92 blowout of the Orlando Magic on Monday.

Giannis Antetokounmpo had 32 points and 20 rebounds and the Milwaukee Bucks held off the Orlando Magic 117-108 on Saturday night to open a two-game set.

Julius Randle had 32 points and 12 rebounds, and the New York Knicks erased an early 21-point deficit and routed the Milwaukee Bucks 113-98.

The Milwaukee Bucks haven’t been quite themselves as they’ve opened their NBA title defense.

Nets Bucks Basketball Milwaukee Bucks owners and players display their championship rings before an NBA basketball game between the Bucks and the Brooklyn Nets, Tuesday, Oct. 19, 2021, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Morry Gash) (Morry Gash)MILWAUKEE — (AP) — The Milwaukee Bucks will visit the White House on Nov. 8 to celebrate their NBA championship, the first title for the franchise in 50 years. The Bucks will play the Wizards in Washington on Nov. 7 and take part in the White House ceremony the following day before traveling to Philadelphia. Milwaukee will be the first NBA champion to be feted at the White House since 2016, when the Cleveland Cavaliers visited former President Barack Obama. ___More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_SportsCopyright 2021 The Associated Press.

The Milwaukee Bucks will visit the White House on Nov. 8 to celebrate their NBA championship, the first title for the franchise in 50 years.

Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 32 points and the Milwaukee Bucks opened the defense of their first title in half a century by beating the Brooklyn Nets 127-104 on Tuesday.

The exhibition game between the Milwaukee Bucks and Memphis Grizzlies was suspended after three quarters when a fire alarm went off, leading to evacuation of FedExForum.

Bucks Budenholzer Basketball FILE - In this Feb. 18, 2021, file photo, Milwaukee Bucks coach Mike Budenholzer reacts to a call during the second half of the team's NBA basketball game against the Toronto Raptors in Milwaukee. Budenholzer has received a contract extension after guiding the team to its first NBA title in a half century. (AP Photo/Morry Gash, File) (Morry Gash)MILWAUKEE — (AP) — Milwaukee Bucks coach Mike Budenholzer has received a contract extension after guiding the team to its first NBA title in a half-century. The Bucks beat the Atlanta Hawks in the Eastern Conference finals after losing the opening game in that series. The Bucks lost to the Toronto Raptors in the 2019 Eastern Conference finals and fell to the Miami Heat in the 2020 Eastern Conference semifinals.

Milwaukee Bucks coach Mike Budenholzer has received a contract extension after guiding the team to its first NBA title in a half-century.

They all say they’re going to honor the commitment to play, even though the finals will have just ended and then a flight halfway around the world awaits. “I have watched the games,” Popovich said a few days ago when asked if he’s watching the NBA Finals while on USA Basketball duty in Las Vegas. Middleton, Holiday and Booker won’t be on that flight; they’ll still be at their real jobs. They’re going to have to come in and play.”True, even a successful coach like Popovich isn't sure how this will work. But if Holiday, Middleton and Booker bring this form to Tokyo, the struggling Americans could be just fine.

The happiest basketball coach in the world right now should be Milwaukee’s Mike Budenholzer.

Giannis Antetokounmpo pointed to a pair of scratches, one on his forehead and the other on his cheek.

NBA Finals Suns Bucks Basketball Milwaukee Bucks center Bobby Portis reacts to a basket against the Phoenix Suns during the second half of Game 3 of basketball's NBA Finals in Milwaukee, Sunday, July 11, 2021. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya) (Paul Sancya)MILWAUKEE — (AP) — Milwaukee Bucks forward Bobby Portis is relying on lessons he learned earlier in his career as he adapts to his inconsistent playoff usage. Portis provided a big spark off the bench, scoring 11 points in 18 minutes in Milwaukee's 120-100 Game 3 NBA Finals victory over the Phoenix Suns on Sunday. “I don’t sit and sob or get mad or anything if I’m not playing,” Portis said after Game 3. Bucks coach Mike Budenholzer indicated after the game that Portis could have earned himself more opportunities.

Milwaukee Bucks forward Bobby Portis is relying on lessons he learned earlier in his career as he adapts to his inconsistent playoff usage.

Giannis Antetokounmpo shook his head, unwilling to place himself in the class of the only player with a longer streak of 40-point games in an NBA Finals.

For the second time this postseason, the Milwaukee Bucks have staggered home with a 2-0 deficit and a couple key players who can’t shoot straight.

NBA Finals Bucks Suns Basketball Milwaukee Bucks guard Jrue Holiday (21) shoots against the Phoenix Suns during the second half of Game 2 of basketball's NBA Finals, Thursday, July 8, 2021, in Phoenix. Antetokounmpo finished with 42 points, 12 rebounds and three blocks but couldn't push the Bucks past the Suns, who took a 2-0 series with their 118-108 win. In the third quarter, he nearly single-handedly kept the Bucks in the game, scoring 20 points while aggressively crashing the offensive glass. That was the most points for one player in a quarter in a finals game since 1993, according to Elias. It became apparent that if Antetokounmpo wasn’t making it happen, it probably wasn’t going to happen for the Bucks.

Giannis Antetokounmpo and his bum left knee bulldozed through the Phoenix Suns defense for most of Game 2, once again giving the Milwaukee Bucks more than they could have dreamed in these NBA Finals.

The Bucks coach said his father wants to see the NBA team use a high school strategy. “He wants us to press every minute of every game,” Budenholzer said. He’s going to be a basketball coach again, working for Penny Hardaway at the University of Memphis. “I’m excited to get back.”TV TIMEJuly is better than September, at least when it comes to getting people to watch the NBA Finals. This is the second straight year the NBA Finals are off their usual June schedule.

If Vince Budenholzer had his way, the Milwaukee Bucks would start guarding Chris Paul the minute he walked into the arena.

NBA Finals Basketball Phoenix Suns' Deandre Ayton (22) attempts a shot ahead of Milwaukee Bucks' Brook Lopez (11) during the first half of Game 1 of basketball's NBA Finals, Tuesday, July 6, 2021, in Phoenix. When all three are rolling the way they were in Game 1 of the NBA Finals, it’s easy to see why this could finally be the Suns’ championship chance. But the Bucks certainly can expect better from Holiday, who missed 10 of his 14 shots and finished with just 10 points in the Suns' 118-105 victory. Budenholzer said that's the challenge of getting three players going at once. The Bucks eventually got through those series and the Suns expect them to be better in Game 2 of this one.

At their best, the Phoenix Suns have three players who can take over a game.

Bucks Hawks Basketball Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo embraces Bobby Portis (9) after the Bucks defeated the Atlanta Hawks in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference finals in the NBA basketball playoffs, advancing to the NBA Finals, Saturday, July 3, 2021, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore) (John Bazemore)PHOENIX — (AP) — Giannis Antetokounmpo is in the starting lineup for the Milwaukee Bucks in Game 1 of the NBA Finals after being sidelined with a knee injury. Antetokounmpo was injured in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference finals when he landed after leaping to defend a lob pass to Atlanta's Clint Capela. Budenholzer said Monday that Antetokounmpo was doing work on the court and making progress, but provided no other details. ___More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_SportsCopyright 2021 The Associated Press.

Giannis Antetokounmpo started and played well in Game 1 of the NBA Finals after missing two games with a knee injury.

The two regular-season games between Milwaukee and Phoenix this season fit the same script.

Brook Lopez scored a playoff career-high 33 points and the Milwaukee Bucks withstood Giannis Antetokounmpo’s absence and beat the Atlanta Hawks 123-112 on Thursday to regain the lead in the Eastern Conference finals.

The Milwaukee Bucks overhauled their roster during the offseason to put more star power around two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo.

Trae Young will miss the Atlanta Hawks’ Game 4 of their Eastern Conference finals against the Milwaukee Bucks on Tuesday due to an ankle injury.

The Atlanta Hawks are following a familiar playoff script in their Eastern Conference finals against the Milwaukee Bucks.

Giannis Antetokounmpo’s lengthy free-throw routine might be too long to be legal.

There's more than a berth in the NBA Finals for the winner of the improbable matchup between the Milwaukee Bucks-Atlanta Hawks.

The Brooklyn Nets will continue to play without Kyrie Irving and don’t know exactly what they can expect from James Harden as the star players deal with injuries.

First they lost James Harden, then Kyrie Irving, and finally the Brooklyn Nets lost their lead in the Eastern Conference semifinals.

Nets Bucks Basketball Brooklyn Nets' Bruce Brown tries to break up Kevin Durant and Milwaukee Bucks' P.J. (AP Photo/Morry Gash) (Morry Gash)MILWAUKEE — (AP) — The NBA has disciplined the Brooklyn Nets security guard who went on the Fiserv Forum court and appeared to shove P.J. Although NBA officials didn’t provide the name the security guard, a person with knowledge of the situation identified him as Antjuan Lambert. Another person with knowledge of the situation said the security guard was Durant’s personal security guy before being hired by the Nets. The security guard went on the court during this confrontation and put his hands on Tucker.

The NBA has disciplined the Brooklyn Nets security guard who went on the Fiserv Forum court and appeared to shove P.

Kevin Durant scored 32 points in three quarters of a top-to-bottom blowout that sent the Brooklyn Nets halfway to the Eastern Conference finals with a 125-86 rout of the Milwaukee Bucks.

James Harden won’t be back for Game 2 of the Eastern Conference semifinals.

Milwaukee’s roster transformation started after losing to Miami in last season’s NBA playoffs, one that made the Bucks give themselves a critical look.

Bucks Heat Basketball Milwaukee Bucks guard Donte DiVincenzo drives to the basket over Miami Heat center Bam Adebayo (13) during the first half of Game 3 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series Thursday, May 27, 2021, in Miami. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier) (Marta Lavandier)MIAMI — (AP) — Donte DiVincenzo’s season is over, after tests showed Friday that the Milwaukee guard tore a ligament in his left ankle during Game 3 of the Bucks’ playoff series against the Miami Heat. DiVincenzo had appeared in 69 games for Milwaukee this season, all of them starts including the three playoff matchups. On an individual, personal level for Donte, it’s really, really tough,” Bucks coach Mike Budenholzer said Friday. The lineup of DiVincenzo along with Giannis Antetokounmpo, Khris Middleton, Jrue Holiday and Brook Lopez was 34-14 this season.

Milwaukee guard Donte DiVincenzo’s season is over.

Bucks Heat Basketball Milwaukee Bucks coach Mike Budenholzer talks to center Brook Lopez (11) during the second half of Game 3 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series against the Miami Heat, Thursday, May 27, 2021, in Miami. They lead the first-round series 3-0 and will try for a sweep of the reigning East champions on Saturday. The Bucks won Game 2 by 34 points and made Game 3 just as decisive, leading by as many as 32. Nemanja Bjelica — little-used by Miami this season, then called upon Thursday out of desperation for any sort of outside shooting — scored 14 points. Tyler Herro hit a 3-pointer to get Miami within 14 a third time; the Bucks scored the next five points.

The Milwaukee Bucks are a win away from a sweep of the Miami Heat and a berth in the Eastern Conference semifinals.

The Atlanta Hawks spent three miserable years totally rebuilding their team, all with the idea of finally making a big move this season.

Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 49 points, and the Milwaukee Bucks edged Kevin Durant and the Brooklyn Nets 117-114.

Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 27 points and Khris Middleton had 24 as the Milwaukee Bucks defeated the Philadelphia 76ers 124-117 in a matchup of two of the Eastern Conference’s top teams.

Khris Middleton scored 21 points, Bobby Portis added 16 points, 10 rebounds and four 3-pointers off the bench and the Milwaukee Bucks defeated the Orlando Magic 124-87 to end a three-game losing streak.

Kelly Oubre Jr. converted a pair of free throws with 7.7 seconds left to give Golden State the lead and Milwaukee missed at the end as the Warriors held off the Bucks 122-121.

Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo, right, moves to the rim as Denver Nuggets forward JaMychal Green defends in the first half of an NBA basketball game Monday, Feb. 8, 2021, in Denver. Middleton had 29 points and a career-high 12 assists, Antetokounmpo scored 30 points and the Milwaukee Bucks won their fifth straight game by beating the Denver Nuggets 125-112 on Monday night. “We still find ourselves trying to figure out how to be a team that plays a lot better in the second half,” Malone said. “We’ve lost three in a row because we haven’t defended anybody.”TIP-INSBucks: The Bucks outrebounded the Nuggets 50-38. “Hope that he's going to be well.”MAIN ATTRACTIONAsked about the marquee matchup between Jokic and Antetokounmpo, Malone feigned hurt feelings.

Brooklyn Nets forward Kevin Durant (7) shoots over Milwaukee Bucks center Brook Lopez during the first half of an NBA basketball game Monday, Jan. 18, 2021, in New York. They are 2-0 since last week's acquisition of Harden, who is averaging 33 points in his new uniform. Harden had 11 points at halftime following his 32-point Nets debut, when he added 14 assists and 12 rebounds. ... Durant was chosen as Eastern Conference player of the week after averaging 34 points, 5.3 rebounds and 8.0 assists in Brooklyn’s 3-0 week. The Bucks host the NBA champion Lakers on Thursday, two nights before the Nets open a two-game series at home against Miami.

(AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)MIAMI – Milwaukee coach Mike Budenholzer offered a simple assessment of some of the scores that he’s seen in the early days of this NBA season. There have been only seven gamedays so far this season, yet the NBA has already seen 11 games where one team has led by at least 30 points. Through 54 games this season, 14 have been decided by at least 20 points — a 26% clip. “It does seem like there’s been a handful more than normal,” Budenholzer said of the number of lopsided scores so far. Brooklyn’s two wins have come by 26 and 28 points; the Nets are 0-2 in games decided by five points or fewer.

On Tuesday, they set the NBA record for 3's in a game. The Bucks made a record 29 3-pointers in their 144-97 romp past the reigning Eastern Conference champion Miami Heat on Tuesday night. The previous record for 3’s in a game was 27, set by the Houston Rockets against the Phoenix Suns on April 7, 2019. It was the biggest road win in Bucks history, topping the 39-point margin at New York on April 10, 1987. It was the first time since Feb. 13, 2017 that he played, scored less than 10 points and the Bucks won anyway.

“Ever since I was a kid, I always wanted to be in that position,” said Tatum, who scored 30 points. But there’s so many good things happening, including Giannis going to the free-throw line with the game on the line. TIP-INSBucks: During the game, the Bucks exercised their fourth-year team option on guard Donte DiVincenzo for the 2021-22 season. Celtics: Newcomers Jeff Teague scored 19 points in 25 minutes, and Tristan Thompson had 12 points and eight rebounds. It will be Kyrie Irving’s first regular-season game in Boston since leaving the Celtics.

So the reigning two-time MVP decided to show his loyalty to the place where he’s spent his entire NBA career. “It’s the place I want to be,” Antetokounmpo said Wednesday, one day after signing a supermax extension with the Bucks. “I know he’s dancing right now,” Antetokounmpo said. “It’s tough because at the end of the day, nowhere you go, nowhere you are is a guarantee to win a championship,” Antetokounmpo said. “Being able to give back to this city and this organization means a lot,” Antetokounmpo said.