Atlanta Hawks’ Trae Young and Clint Capela celebrate after Game 1 of the NBA Eastern Conference basketball finals game against the Milwaukee Bucks Wednesday, June 23, 2021, in Milwaukee. The Hawks won 116-113 to take a 1-0 lead in the series.
Milwaukee Bucks’ Giannis Antetokounmpo reacts after making a shot and being fouled during the second half of Game 1 of the NBA Eastern Conference basketball finals game against the Atlanta Hawks Wednesday, June 23, 2021, in Milwaukee.
Milwaukee Bucks’ Giannis Antetokounmpo dunks during the second half of Game 1 of the NBA Eastern Conference basketball finals game against the Atlanta Hawks Wednesday, June 23, 2021, in Milwaukee.
Atlanta Hawks’ Onyeka Okongwu is defended by Atlanta Hawks’ Trae Young and Danilo Gallinari during the second half of Game 1 of the NBA Eastern Conference basketball finals game Wednesday, June 23, 2021, in Milwaukee.
Milwaukee Bucks head coach Mike Budenholzer reacts during the second half of Game 1 of the NBA Eastern Conference basketball finals game against the Atlanta Hawks Wednesday, June 23, 2021, in Milwaukee.
Atlanta Hawks’ John Collins reacts after a dunk assisted by Trae Young during the second half of Game 1 of the NBA Eastern Conference basketball finals game against the Milwaukee Bucks Wednesday, June 23, 2021, in Milwaukee.
Atlanta Hawks head coach Nate McMillan reacts during the second half of Game 1 of the NBA Eastern Conference basketball finals game against the Milwaukee Bucks Wednesday, June 23, 2021, in Milwaukee.
Atlanta Hawks’ Bogdan Bogdanovic shoots between Milwaukee Bucks’ P.J. Tucker and Giannis Antetokounmpo during the second half of Game 1 of the NBA Eastern Conference basketball finals game Wednesday, June 23, 2021, in Milwaukee.
Atlanta Hawks’ John Collins dunks during the second half of Game 1 of the NBA Eastern Conference basketball finals game against the Milwaukee Bucks Wednesday, June 23, 2021, in Milwaukee.
Milwaukee Bucks’ Giannis Antetokounmpo tries to get past Atlanta Hawks’ Trae Young during the first half of Game 1 of the NBA Eastern Conference basketball finals game Wednesday, June 23, 2021, in Milwaukee.
Milwaukee Bucks’ Giannis Antetokounmpo is fouled by Atlanta Hawks’ Solomon Hill during the first half of Game 1 of the NBA Eastern Conference basketball finals game Wednesday, June 23, 2021, in Milwaukee.
Milwaukee Bucks’ Bobby Portis dunks during the first half of Game 1 of the NBA Eastern Conference basketball finals game against the Atlanta Hawks Wednesday, June 23, 2021, in Milwaukee.
Milwaukee Bucks’ Giannis Antetokounmpo dunks during the first half of Game 1 of the NBA Eastern Conference basketball finals game against the Atlanta Hawks Wednesday, June 23, 2021, in Milwaukee.
Milwaukee Bucks’ Giannis Antetokounmpo tries to get past Atlanta Hawks’ Bogdan Bogdanovic (13) and John Collins during the first half of Game 1 of the NBA Eastern Conference basketball finals game Wednesday, June 23, 2021, in Milwaukee.
MILWAUKEE (AP) — Trae Young remains as poised as ever in hostile environments in his first postseason.
Young scored 48 points, Clint Capela converted a go-ahead putback with 29.8 seconds left and the Atlanta Hawks beat the Milwaukee Bucks 116-113 on Wednesday night to open the Eastern Conference finals.
The Hawks improved to 6-2 in road playoff games this year and handed the Bucks their first home loss of the postseason.
“Ever since I was in middle school, when I was going on the road in middle school, I always loved playing on the road,” said Young, who was two points off his career high. “I loved playing against an opposing crowd, an opposing team. It feels like you’re really with your team, and it’s just them in the building. I think that really brings our group together.”
Game 2 is Friday night in Milwaukee.
Giannis Antetokounmpo had 34 points, 12 rebounds and nine assists for the Bucks. Jrue Holiday added 33 points and 10 assists.
Milwaukee’s Khris Middleton missed a potential tying 3-pointer in the closing seconds. Although Middleton scored 15 points, he shot 6 of 23 and missed all nine of his 3-point attempts.
“I’ve just got to be better,” Middleton said. “It’s as simple as that.”