After missing out on a home game last MLK Day, the Atlanta Hawks will welcome Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks to State Farm Arena at 1:00 p.m. on Monday, January 19th. The matchup marks a highlight of the <a href="https://www.buzzineintl.com/category/basketball/nba/”>NBA‘s MLK Day schedule and offers a rematch of last year’s NBA Cup Semifinals, where the Bucks defeated the Hawks 110-102.
Alongside this marquee game, other NBA contests on MLK Day include the Oklahoma City Thunder facing the Cleveland Cavaliers at 2:30 p.m., the Dallas Mavericks hosting the New York Knicks at 5:00 p.m., and the Boston Celtics playing against the Detroit Pistons at 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time.
Details of the Hawks’ Preseason Matchups
The MLK Day game against Milwaukee is currently the only confirmed regular season event for the Hawks, but the team recently released their preseason schedule. Atlanta starts their exhibition season on October 6th in Houston against the Rockets, then heads to Memphis on October 11th. They return home to host Miami on October 13th before closing the preseason with another game versus Houston on October 16th.
Both the opening and final preseason games will be carried on the Hawks’ radio flagship, Sports Radio 92.9 The Game, with longtime announcer Steve Holman and host Mike Conti providing play-by-play and analysis. Broadcast details for the preseason coverage on FanDuel Sports Network Southeast will be shared at a later time.
Hawks Emerge as a Strong Contender in the Eastern Conference
The approaching season offers fans an opportunity to see the revamped Atlanta Hawks roster that many expect to be among the Eastern Conference’s best. Historically overlooked in offseason moves, the Hawks garnered praise this year following significant trades and free agent signings.
The team‘s major offseason adjustment started with a key three-team trade bringing in Kristaps Porzingis. Additionally, they acquired free agents Nickeil Alexander-Walker, who signed a four-year $62 million deal, and sharpshooter Luke Kennard, who agreed to a one-year contract worth $11 million.
Atlanta also executed an intriguing draft night maneuver. After trading the No. 22 pick to the Brooklyn Nets as part of the Porzingis deal, the Hawks selected at No. 13, then traded down to No. 23 with New Orleans. In exchange, they secured an unprotected 2026 first-round pick, which will be the more favorable of New Orleans’ or Milwaukee’s selections. This pick could easily become a top-five or better draft choice.
Other under-the-radar moves included signing Nikola Durisic, last year’s second-round draft pick, and adding former Orlando Magic forward Caleb Houstan on a one-year deal. While the Hawks still hold one roster spot open, their current lineup ranks as one of the strongest on paper in the East.
Porzingis delivered a solid 2024-25 season, averaging 19.5 points per game and shooting a career-best 41.2% from three-point range. His three-point accuracy ranked 25th across the NBA and was second-best among seven-footers, trailing only Karl-Anthony Towns. Porzingis also matched his career-high by making eight three-pointers twice during the season—a rare feat for a player of his size, and unmatched historically for multiple eight-three-pointer games by a seven-footer.
Health remains the primary uncertainty for this roster, but if the Hawks stay fit, they are positioned to compete for a top-four seed and potentially deeper playoff success in the Eastern Conference.
Last Season’s Fierce Contest Provides Context for MLK Day Showdown
The upcoming MLK Day game rekindles the rivalry from last year’s NBA Cup Semifinals, where the Bucks narrowly edged the Hawks before ultimately capturing the Cup by defeating the Oklahoma City Thunder. Atlanta’s resilient playoff run earned substantial respect across the league despite falling short.
Giannis Antetokounmpo, a perennial MVP candidate, will lead the Bucks against the Hawks’ refreshed squad eager to prove their growth and challenge Milwaukee’s dominance.
Broadcast and Coverage Highlights for Hawks Fans
Fans tuning into the Hawks‘ preseason and regular season games can expect extensive coverage on local platforms. Steve Holman, the Hawks’ play-by-play voice, will return alongside Mike Conti, who handles pregame, halftime, and postgame hosting duties for radio broadcasts. Updates on television and streaming broadcasts for the preseason will be announced as details become available.
Looking Ahead: Implications of the Hawks’ New Core and Upcoming Matchups
The MLK Day game offers a first glimpse at Atlanta’s updated roster in a high-stakes setting. The Hawks’ offseason moves—featuring strong draft positioning, veteran acquisitions, and emerging young talent—signal their intention to contend aggressively in a competitive Eastern Conference landscape.
How Atlanta performs against elite teams like Milwaukee will provide early insight into their potential playoff trajectory. If they can maintain health and cohesion, the Hawks are poised to make a significant impact and possibly disrupt the current conference hierarchy.