Milwaukee enters NBA finals vs Phoenix

ATLANTA – Khris Middleton poured in 32 points to power the Milwaukee Bucks into their first NBA Finals in over 45 years on Saturday with a series-clinching 118-107 win over the Atlanta Hawks.

The third-seeded Bucks beat the host Hawks in the best-of-seven series 4-2 to book their first appearance in the league championship since 1974.

“As a little kid, everybody wanted to be part of this chance to go to the finals. This is amazing,” said Bucks guard Jrue Holiday.

Milwaukee will face the Western Conference champion Phoenix Suns in the finals which begin on Tuesday.

The Bucks earned the Eastern Conference championship trophy, celebrating with it on the floor at the Hawks’ State Farm Arena.

“It is sweet. These guys have put the work in all year. They deserve to go to the finals,” said Milwaukee coach Mike Budenholzer. “We’ve got more work to do.”

The Bucks won despite the absence of two-time league MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo, who sat out with an injured left knee. The 26-year-old Greek forward hyperextended the joint when he landed awkwardly in Game 4 of the series.

The Hawks got their top player Trae Young back after he missed the previous two games with a bruised foot. But Young struggled to score in Game 6, shooting just four-of-17, missing all six of his three-point attempts and finishing with just 14 points.