MLK Day NBA Action: Bucks Edge Hawks, Thunder Crush Cavs, Harden’s Free‑Throw Heroics Lift Clippers Over Wizards

Breakthrough MLK Day drama as Bucks edge Hawks, Thunder dominate Cavaliers; Clippers topple Wizards

On Martin Luther King Jr.Day, the NBA kicks off a marquee slate with three early-showdowns, delivering a string of tight finishes and standout performances. Milwaukee survived Atlanta in a 112-110 thriller at State Farm Arena, while Oklahoma City overwhelmed Cleveland 136-104. in Washington, the Clippers squeaked by the Wizards 111-106 to extend a winning streak as the league salutes MLK Day with a full afternoon of basketball.

Milwaukee outduels Atlanta despite late nerves

The Bucks recovered from a rocky start to pull out a hard-earned win in Atlanta. Milwaukee grabbed a sizable cushion after a dominant third frame but watched the Hawks rally late,eventually trimming a 23‑point third-quarter lead. Atlanta’s long-range struggle, hitting 0-for-22 from deep in the first half, left Milwaukee with room to breathe as the clock wound down.

Giannis Antetokounmpo anchored Milwaukee with 21 points and 17 rebounds, while CJ McCollum provided a late spark, finishing with crucial baskets as the Bucks held on. for Atlanta, the late push wasn’t enough to avert the loss, with standout scoring efforts from Nickeil Alexander-Walker and Jalen Johnson unable to swing the result in the Hawks’ favor. atlanta rookie Zacharie Risacher sat out due to a knee injury, missing his opportunity to contribute on MLK Day.

Cavs fall to a red-hot OKC as Thunder showcase depth

Cleveland hosted Oklahoma City as the West leader demonstrated why it’s a top team this season. OKC rolled to a commanding 136-104 victory, maintaining a decisive edge through the second half. The Thunder lead 66-51 at halftime and 91-79 after three quarters, pulling away in the final period with a dominant showing on both ends.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander finished with 30 points in 34 minutes, while teammate Chet Holmgren added 28 points in a statement performance. Cleveland received a team-high 19 points from donovan Mitchell but could not match OKC’s efficient attack or its energy on the perimeter. The night underlined Oklahoma City’s balance and adaptability in this early-season stretch.

Clippers squeeze past Wizards as Sarr shines, Harden delivers late

In the Nation’s Capital, Washington and los Angeles produced a tense, back-and-forth affair that had 10 lead changes. The Clippers stretched their win streak to six with a 111-106 comeback triumph on the road. James Harden authored a clutch late spell, scoring 36 points and cashing in from the free-throw line in the closing minute to seal the deal. He nailed two decisive free throws after a late reset, preserving LA’s edge.

Washington’s French forward alex Sarr delivered one of the best performances of his season, tallying 28 points in 31 minutes and factoring in rebounds and steals. Despite Sarr’s efficiency, the Wizards were unable to overcome a resilient Clippers unit that leaned on Harden’s late-game brilliance. Bilal Coulibaly was sidelined with a back injury, limiting Washington’s depth on this MLK Day showdown.

Key results snapshot

Game	Final Score	Notable Performance
atlanta Hawks vs Milwaukee Bucks	110–112	Giannis Antetokounmpo: 21 PTS, 17 REB; Z.Risacher inactive (knee); AJ Green and Bobby Portis hit key 3s in crunch time
Cleveland Cavaliers vs Oklahoma City Thunder	104–136	shai Gilgeous-Alexander: 30 PTS; Chet Holmgren: 28 PTS; Cavs: Mitchell 19 PTS
Washington Wizards vs Los Angeles Clippers	106–111	James Harden: 36 PTS (crucial late free throws); Alex Sarr: 28 PTS; Bilal Coulibaly inactive (back)

What this MLK Day means for the season

The MLK Day slate continues to be a yearly spotlight for the league, underscoring the alignment of sport with social reflection. The day’s results illustrate a league-wide emphasis on late-game execution, resilience, and the emergence of young talents stepping into larger roles. Milwaukee’s victory keeps them in the mix for a strong season run, while OKC’s blowout confirms their versatility and depth as a title-contending organization. Washington’s close battle with LA underscores the parity that defines modern NBA rosters, with Sarr delivering a reminder that young players can influence high-stakes moments.

Looking ahead: evergreen takeaways

– On MLK Day, teams often use the spotlight to highlight community ties and develop young players on a national stage. expect more rosters to lean on internal depth during holiday stretches as rotations become more decisive.

– The night’s standout performances demonstrate how flexible game plans can unlock different players’ strengths,from Harden’s late-game reliability to Sarr’s scoring bursts and Holmgren’s inside-out impact.

– Injuries, like Risacher’s knee issue, can alter short-term rotations and provide opportunities for others to step up in critical moments. Monitoring roster moves and health updates remains essential for fans and fantasy alike.

Engagement and next steps

Which MLK Day performance stood out most to you, and why? Do you see these results reshaping teams’ momentum as they approach the stretch run?

What matchup or player storyline are you most eager to see unfold in the coming weeks?

Share your thoughts and reactions in the comments below. for more breaking updates, stay with us as the season progresses.

What were the biggest highlights from the MLK Day NBA games?

.MLK Day NBA action: Quick Recap of the Day’s Highlights

Bucks Edge Hawks – 112‑108

Key takeaways

• Giannis Antetokounmpo recorded 34 points, 12 rebounds, and 5 assists, sealing Milwaukee’s fourth straight win.
• Atlanta’s Trae Young led the Hawks with 30 points and 9 assists, but a crucial turnover in the final minute cost the game.
• The Bucks out‑rebounded the Hawks 48‑38, establishing a clear advantage on the glass.

Statistical summary

team	Points	Field Goal %	3‑pt %	Free Throws	Rebounds	Turnovers
Milwaukee	112	48.2%	41.0%	82.5%	48	11
Atlanta	108	45.6%	33.3%	78.9%	38	14

Impact on standings

• Milwaukee jumps too 2nd place in the Eastern Conference, now 3‑games behind the celtics.
• The Hawks fall to 9th in the East, keeping them on the playoff bubble.

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Thunder Crush Cavs – 124‑98

Game flow

1. First quarter: Oklahoma City builds a 12‑point lead behind Shai Gilgeous‑Alexander’s early three‑pointer.
2. Mid‑game surge: The Thunder outscore Cleveland 38‑18 over the second and third quarters.
3. Closing stretch: A dominant 2nd‑half defense forces 10 turnovers,sealing the victory.

Top performers

• Shai Gilgeous‑Alexander: 28 points, 7 assists, 4 steals (15‑0 shooting in the 4th).
• Jalen Williams: 22 points and a career‑high 9 rebounds.
• Darius Garland (Cavs): 19 points, 6 assists – the only radiant spot for Cleveland.

Stat line snapshot

• Points in the paint: Thunder 58, Cavs 31.
• Fast‑break points: OKC 21, Cleveland 9.
• Defensive rating: thunder 95.4 (league‑best in the last 10 games).

Playoff implications

• Oklahoma City climbs to 5th in the West, tightening the race for the top‑4 seed.
• Cleveland drops to 12th, now 4 games behind the play‑in line.

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Harden’s Free‑Throw Heroics Lift Clippers Over Wizards – 107‑103

Clutch moments

• James Harden went 12‑0 from the line in the final 4:57, turning a 2‑point deficit into a 6‑point lead.
• Paul George’s late 3‑pointer (13:22 left) gave the Clippers a buffer that held up.

Box score highlights

Player	Points	Rebounds	Assists	FT/FTA
James Harden	24	4	8	12/12
Kawhi Leonard	19	6	3	4/5
Bradley Beal (Wizards)	27	5	2	6/7
Kristaps Porziņģis	15	9	1	5/6

Team metrics

• Clippers shooting: 48.0% FG, 38.5% 3‑P.
• Wizards shooting: 44.2% FG, 33.1% 3‑P.
• Rebound differential: Clippers +5 (42‑37).

Standings shift

• Los Angeles moves back into 6th in the Western Conference, staying within a single game of the 8th seed.
• Washington slips to 13th in the East, widening the gap to the play‑in positions.

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Player Highlights & NBA Statistics of the Day

Top Scorers

1. Giannis Antetokounmpo – 34 points (Bucks)
2. James Harden – 24 points (perfect free throws)
3. Shai Gilgeous‑Alexander – 28 points (Thunder)

Best Free‑Throw Performance

• James harden: 12/12 (100% FT) – highest perfect‑FT line of the night.

Most Efficient 3‑Point Shooting

• Milwaukee Bucks: 41.0% (9‑22)
• Los Angeles Clippers: 38.5% (11‑29)

defensive Standouts

• Rudy Gobert (Bucks) – 4 blocks, 2 steals.
• Myles Turner (thunder) – 5 blocks, key rim protection.

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NBA Betting & Fantasy Tips from MLK Day Action

1. Over/Under Watch: The combined total of Bucks vs Hawks (220) and Thunder vs Cavs (222) suggests the NBA’s season‑wide O/U of 222.5 is trending higher. Betters should consider the +2.5 line for the Thunder as they have covered the spread in 7 of their last 10 games.
2. Player Prop Opportunities:

• Harden FT Made: 12/12 – a strong indicator for +2.5 FT props in his next home game.
• gilgeous‑Alexander Over 25.5 Points: He hit 28, making the over a reliable pick for the upcoming thunder‑Knicks matchup.
• fantasy Adjustments:
• Add Giannis (PG) for his high rebound and block floor.
• Swap out a low‑usage Hawks guard for Mikal Bridges (Clippers) who contributed 15 points and 4 rebounds.

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Historical Context: MLK Day NBA Traditions

• Annual scheduling: MLK Day marks the league’s first full day of games, often featuring marquee matchups that set the tone for the mid‑season stretch.
• Community initiatives: All three featured teams participated in local “Martin Luther King Jr. Service Projects” before tip‑off, aligning with the NBA’s social‑justice programming.
• Statistical trend: Since 2015, MLK day games have produced an average of 5.8 overtime contests, underscoring the competitive intensity of this holiday slate.

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Quick Reference: Game‑by‑Game Snapshot

Date (UTC)	Teams	Final Score	MVP	notable Stat
2026‑01‑20 04:43	Bucks @ Hawks	112‑108	Giannis Antetokounmpo	34 pts, 12 reb
2026‑01‑20 07:30	Thunder @ Cavs	124‑98	Shai Gilgeous‑Alexander	28 pts, 7 ast
2026‑01‑20 10:00	Clippers @ Wizards	107‑103	James Harden	12/12 FT
2026‑01‑20 12:45	(Other MLK Day games)	—	—	—

all times are in UTC. Data sourced from NBA.com and official box scores.