Game 3 was a devastating loss for the Atlanta Hawks in this Eastern Conference Finals series and Atlanta started off hot in Game 4 like they did the previous game, but this time they were able to sustain their success. Not many people were expecting Atlanta to be able to even up this series with Trae Young out with a foot injury, but they did just that, regaining momentum over the Bucks with a 110-88 win. 

Defensively, this may have been the best game the Hawks played all season long and everybody stepped up tremendously with their leader out. Lou Williams got the start in place of the injured Young and he was incredible, scoring 21 points on 7-9 shooting and he also had 5 rebounds and 8 assists. 

The veteran guard stepped up when his number was called tonight, but he was not the only guy contributing for Atlanta. Bogdan Bogdanovic had his best game of the series, scoring 20 points on 6-14 shooting from deep and both Clint Capela and Kevin Huerter had 15 points each. 

A lot of work needs to be done on offense for the Bucks heading into Game 5 in Milwaukee, but all of their attention is now on Giannis Antetokounmpo, as the 2x MVP left the game in the third quarter after appearing to hyperextend his left knee. On an alley-oop attempt by Clint Capela, Giannis had jumped up to try and contest the shot, but his left leg got caught underneath Capela and his knee buckled. 

Antetokounmpo fell to the ground and immediately clutched at his left knee, not moving at all and in a lot of pain on the baseline. Giannis did need to be helped off the court by the bucks’ training staff and his brother Thanasis, but he did seem to be able to put a little bit of pressure on that left leg. 

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He did not return to Game 4 and after the game, the Bucks announced that he had suffered a left knee hyperextension and would undergo further evaluation and imaging when they got back to Milwaukee. It was announced Wednesday afternoon however that Giannis did avoid any structural damage to his knee and all of his ligaments are “sound.”

It is unclear if he will be able to return to the floor for Milwaukee anytime soon, but assuming Giannis Antetokounmpo is now likely out for the remainder of the series against the Hawks, everything changes in what is now a ‘Best of 3’ type series tied at 2-2. Can the Bucks win this series without their MVP? Here are the three biggest takeaways from the Hawks’ massive Game 4 victory over the Bucks.